THE UNITED NATIONS, October 2. /TASS/. Syria's government will not be able to hold elections or amend the constitution until the country defeats terrorism, Syria's Foreign Minister Walid Muallem told a political discussion held within the framework of the 70th session of the United Nations General Assembly on Friday.

Syria’s government continues to appeal for a political settlement of the conflict basing "on the opinion, which has proved its rightness, that the struggle against terrorism is top priority for promotion in other aspects," Muallem said.

"Syria cannot undertake any democratic political steps related to holding elections, changing the constitution or any others until terrorism continues to mount strikes on our land and to threaten innocent civilians," Muallem said noting that the government could not ask "the Syrians to go to the polls when they can feel safe neither in the streets nor at homes."

Also, Muallem noted that Damascus still believes in success of a political settlement "on the basis of well-known parameters" which envisage "the preservation of national sovereignty, the unity of the Syrian territory and the people" and better work of current agencies of power.