Syrian state media say the foreign minister has told the outgoing UN envoy to stay out of matters concerning the war-torn country’s constitution.

The Syrian FM Walid al-Moallem reportedly told UN Special Envoy Staffan de Mistura that the constitution is a ‘sovereign’ matter and that Damascus will not allow any foreign intervention or meddling in it.

The remarks were carried by the state SANA news agency as al-Moallem and de Mistura met in Damascus on Wednesday.

De Mistura said last week he would make a final effort before stepping down next month to advance toward a new constitution for Syria- a key step in ending the country’s civil war.

The Syrian opposition wants a completely new constitution drafted while the government says it will only allow internally agreed-on changes to the charter.

AP