Syrian gov't "ready to talk with constructive opposition": Russian lawmaker

The Syrian government has shown readiness to "participate in a dialogue with any constructive opposition" for a political solution to the country's lingering crisis, a Russian lawmaker visiting Damascus said Sunday.   "The Syrian government and the Syrian people are highly interested in negotiations on a settlement on the basis of the preservation of statehood, sovereignty and independence, and are ready to talk with any constructive opposition, which acts based on these principle," Alexander Yushcheko was quoted as saying by the RIA Novosti news agency.   The latest round of Syrian peace talks, which started on March 14, wrapped up in Geneva with a 12-point paper delivered to both sides for further consideration. The next round of negotiations is expected to kick off in Geneva on April 13, four days behind the original schedule.   More than 270,000 people have been reportedly killed in Syria and millions have fled their homes since the conflict broke out in March 2011. Source: Xinhua