Syrians voted in the first parliamentary elections under a new constitution on Monday May 7 2012.
Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister for Arab and African Affairs Hossein Amir Abdollahian has hailed Syria’s recent parliamentary elections as a significant step toward reforms in the country.
“The understanding people of Syria have always considered the political approach as the most suitable solution, and have given a firm response to foreign interference and terrorist acts by holding the parliamentary elections,” Abdollahian said Tuesday.
“The Islamic Republic of Iran firmly supports the resisting people of Syria and Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s reform process,” he added.
Syrians went to the polls on Monday in the first parliamentary elections under a new constitution approved in a February referendum.
More than 7,000 candidates ran in the elections for 250 parliamentary seats. The elections were part of the reforms promised by President Assad.
About 90 percent of the Syrians approved a new constitution in a referendum held in February.
The new constitution excludes Article 8, which declared the ruling Ba’ath Party as the “leader of the state and society,” establishes a multiparty system in Syria and limits the presidential term to two seven-year periods.
AR/HJL/MA
