Syrian president denies media report of new Russian-drafted constitution

Syria's President Bashar al-Assad speaks during an interview with Russia's RIA new agency, in Damascus, Syria in this handout file picture provided by SANA on March 30, 2016. REUTERS/SANA/Handout via Reuters/Files

BEIRUT (Reuters) - Syrian President Bashar al-Assad denied media reports on Friday that his ally Russia had drawn up a new constitution for his country and presented it to his government as part of international efforts to end the long conflict.

Lebanese daily al-Akhbar had reported on Tuesday that Russia had finished drafting a constitution which would remove many of the president's powers and set up a more decentralised government, both possible concessions to rebel groups fighting Assad.