LOC18:39
15:39 GMT
MOSCOW, Jan 24 (KUNA) -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said the Constitutional Committee on Syria in Geneva needs more time to execute its tasks.
Moscow is ready to provide support and aid to tackle issues facing the committee, the Russian TV quoted Lavrov as saying, during his meeting with the UN Special Envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen on Friday.
He hailed the UN's role in boosting the committee's work and holding dialogue between conflict parties in Syria.
Lavrov also noted that the situation in Syria is improving, as the number of lands controlled by armed groups is decreasing, while the Syrian government regained control on large areas on the borders with Iraq and Turkey.
On his part, Pederson said that over 7,000 civilians escaped Idlib due to the ongoing conflict, calling for taking measures to allow a safe return for displaced Syrians to their homes.
He noted that 50 percent of Syrians have fled their homes since the beginning of war, affirming the need to start reconstructing the country and resolve the situation.
The UN set up the committee, tasked with revising the Syrian constitution, on October 30 last year. The committee seeks to reconcile the Syrian government headed by President Bashar Al-Assad and the Syrian opposition. (end)
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