Election date announced as Syrian army makes progress against mercenaries

Crescent International

Jumada' al-Akhirah 25, 1435 2014-04-25

Daily News Analysis

by Crescent International

The tide is turning in favor of President Bashar al-Asad and against the foreign-backed mercenaries in Syria. Presidential poll date has been set for June 3 while the Syrian army is making steady progress against the mercenaries that have perpetrated horrible crimes against civilians.

Beirut,

Friday April 25, 2014, 09:07 DST

Syria will hold presidential elections on June 3 amid growing confidence that the country has weathered the worst of the foreign-backed conspiracy to bring down the government of President Bashar al-Asad. Syrian parliamentary speaker made the announcement on April 21 reflecting new ground realities that the country is well on its way to establishing stability. Visitors, whether journalists or peace activists, have reported that people go about their business in the capital Damascus without being affected by the mayhem that has gripped some parts of the country.

In fact, President Bashar al-Asad is often seen driving his car to office. At times, he is stuck in traffic and takes all this in stride. Such confidence must drive his detractors... Crazy.

In fact, President Bashar al-Asad is often seen driving his car to office. At times, he is stuck in traffic and takes all this in stride. Such confidence must drive his detractors, especially in Saudi Arabia, the US, Israel, Turkey and the medieval monarchies of the Persian Gulf shaikhdoms, crazy. Rulers in which of these countries can come out in public without massive security details?

“Elections for the president of the Syrian Arab Republic for Syrians resident in the country will be held on June 3 from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm,” Mohammad al-Lahham, the speaker said during a special session of parliament. Syrians living outside the country will vote on May 28 at Syrian missions abroad.

Registration for candidates for the presidency started on April 22 and will end on May 1. The amended constitution that allows other parties or candidates to contest the presidency also stipulates that a person must have lived in Syria for a decade.

This will exclude those figures that have languished in luxury in Paris, London, Istanbul or five-star (or even seven-star) hotels abroad for decades and have no roots in Syria. They only work at the behest of their foreign masters.

The presidential term in Syria is seven years. Asad is running and expected to win despite the ongoing conflict. His support base has grown in recent months because of the terrible crimes the foreign mercenaries and even Syrian-born fighters have perpetrated in the country. The Syrian army is making steady progress especially in Homs where foreign-backed mercenaries had occupied large swathes of territory.

By blocking smuggling routes from Lebanon, one of the main weapons supply points, the Syrian army has tightened its stranglehold on the mercenaries.

In operations in Homs, the army not only discovered huge cache of arms but also workshops for building casings for bombs and improvised explosive devices.

By choking weapons supplies, the Syrian army is turning the tide of war against the mercenaries. Infighting between mercenaries has also weakened them.

END