Syrians Go to Polls to Reelect President Assad
BEIRUT — An expected 5 million Syrians began casting ballots Sunday in what political observers termed merely a formality to reelect President Hafez Assad to a third seven-year term.
State-run Damascus radio, alternating military marches with patriotic songs, reported live accounts of the voting activities across the nation.
Assad, 56, was unanimously endorsed for a third seven-year term by both the ruling Baath Party and by the People’s Council, Syria’s Parliament. He has no opposition.
Assad came to power in a bloodless coup in 1970. He first became president in 1971 and was reelected to a second term seven years later.
His present term is due to expire March 13.
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