CAIRO, Sept. 24 (Xinhua) -- The Arab League hailed on Tuesday the announcement of the United Nations about the formation of a constitutional committee for Syria.
In a statement, Secretary General of the Arab League Ahmed Aboul Gheit expressed his hopes that "the deal between the Syrian government and the Syrian negotiation committee could constitute a step for reaching comprehensive political settlement in the war-torn country."
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres announced on Monday that the constitutional committee will be facilitated by the UN in Geneva, adding that it would be convened in the coming weeks.
Guterres said that the UN sees the committee as a next step in efforts to find a political solution to end the more than eight-year war in Syria.
Aboul Gheit also hoped the deal could open a "new chapter to meet the aspirations of the Syrian people for building a safe and stable future."
Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem announced on Monday the launching of the Syrian constitutional committee's work.
He said that it comes after 18 months of talks.
The constitutional committee is to be composed of representatives of the Syrian government, the opposition and civil society representatives, each with 50 members.
