Syria's Assad welcomes UN role in possible Syrian elections

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said Monday that his administration welcomes any role of the UN in possible Syrian elections as long as it respects the Syrian sovereignty, according to the Syrian presidential media office.

Assad made the remarks to reporters following his meeting with a Russian official and economic delegation headed by Russian Deputy Prime Minister, Dmitry Rogozin.

Syria's President Bashar al-Assad (C) and Russia's Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu (R) at the Russian Hmeimim air base on December 11, 2017.

The president said any role of the UN in Syrian elections must be based on the UN charters and respect the Syrian sovereignty.

"This is why we are not worried about any role of the UN and we can say that we welcome any role of the UN," the president told reporters.

The elections and constitution in Syria are expected to be discussed in the upcoming talks in the Russian city of Sochi earlier next year.

Assad said if there is a constitutional amendment, there will be elections based on the constitution.

(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)