Speaking to journalists, Lavrentiev noted that it is in the interest of Western states to provide assistance and facilitate the return of displaced Syrians to their home, adding they cannot be prevented from return.

He said that the Syrian government submitted a list including the names of members of the committee tasked with discussing the current constitution to the Russian and Iranian ambassadors in Damascus two months ago while the opposition handed the list of its nominees two weeks ago.

Lavrentiev indicated that the work mechanism of the committee and other regulatory issues will be agreed upon later on.

Earlier, the tenth round of Astana format meeting kicked off in the Russian city of Sochi with the participation of the Syrian delegation headed by Dr. Bashar al-Jaafari and the other delegations.