SOCHI. Feb 17 (Interfax) - Russia believes presidential elections in Syria would be appropriate in 2021 and does not understand the West's allegation that such elections would be illegitimate, Russian presidential envoy on Syria Alexander Lavrentyev said.
"While we don't interfere in the Syrian state's internal affairs, don't speak in favor of or against this plebiscite or election or another, we still believe this should be done in line with national law," Lavrentyev said at a press conference on Wednesday, pointing out that Syrian law stipulates that a presidential election must be held in 2021.
"Therefore, we consider this [elections] to be absolutely legitimate, and we do not accept the West's objections that this cannot be done," Lavrentyev said, adding that the West could not explain why elections in Syria would be illegitimate.
A constitutional reform in Syria should go simultaneously with the functioning of the state and its institutions, he said.
"Therefore, we believe holding presidential elections would be appropriate," Lavrentyev said.
The Syrian constitution stipulates that a presidential election in the country must be held in 2021. A number of Western countries, including the United States, have said they would not recognize its outcome unless political reforms are carried out in Syria.