GENEVA (Reuters) – Russia, Iran and Turkey are close to agreement on composition of a Syrian constitutional committee that could pave the way for drafting a new charter followed by elections, diplomats said on Monday. Staffan de Mistura, UN Special Envoy for Syria who steps down at year-end, has tried since January to clinch agreement on the identity of 150 members of a new constitutional committee to revitalize a dormant peace process. “The three countries are coming with a proposal for the third list, which has been the heart of the problem,” said one diplomat. Turkey supports rebel fighters who control part of northwest Syria. De Mistura said at the weekend the constitutional committee could be a starting point for political progress.

Source: Egypt Independent December 17, 2018 21:56 UTC