The UN envoy for Syria says he's close to reaching an agreement with the Syrian government on establishing a constitutional committee, a key step in resuming stalled peace talks. Geir Pedersen made the comment after meeting with Syria's Deputy Prime Minister in Damascus on Wednesday. Zhu Xuesong reports from the Syrian capital.

Geir Pedersen met with Syrian Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign and Expatriates Minister, Walid al-Moallem. Their two rounds of meetings focused on the establishment of a constitutional committee, aimed to help restore stability and security to the war-torn country. Pedersen said that solid progress was made during his visit.

GEIR PEDERSON UN SPECIAL ENVOY FOR SYRIA "We have had very positive and very constructive discussions, I believe I have made a very solid progress, and actually we are very close to an agreement on establishing the constitutional committee as a door opener for the wider political process."

That sentiment was echoed by the Syrian government, but according to the state news agency SANA, it also reiterated its previous stance that the issue is purely Syria's internal affair, and Syria will implement the process without any foreign interference.

The UN wants to convene the committee as a next step in finding a political solution to end the Syrian war, but there has been no agreement on its makeup.

Pedersen also called for a return to stability in Idlib province, the last major area in Syria still held by rebels.

GEIR PEDERSON UN SPECIAL ENVOY FOR SYRIA "Obviously, we have discussed the situation in Idlib and we are all hoping that we can have a return to stability and the agreement between Russia and Turkey could come back into force."

ZHU XUESONG DAMASCUS "Pederson's visit to Syria follows meetings he held with Russian officials in Moscow on Friday, where he urged Russia to help support setting up a Syrian constitutional committee. Today's announcements of progress reflect the efforts that are made to move the political process forward, despite the previous rounds of UN-led talks that have stalled. Zhu Xuesong, CGTN, Damascus, Syria."