Syria title presidential election , opposition calls for election boycott

For the first time in five decades of Assad family has an opponent in the election

Syria title presidential election , opposition calls for election boycott


Syria held a presidential election on Tuesday ( 03 / 06 ) in the midst of a civil war that has lasted for three years .

For the first time in five decades of Assad family facing the challenges of the two government -approved candidates - even though President Bashar al - Assad is expected to win easily .

Both of the other candidates that Hajjar Maher and Hassan al - Nouri is not widely known and not be able to campaign as flexible as President Bashar al - Assad .

This election reflects a new confidence in the Assad regime , says the BBC's Jeremy Bowen in Damascus .

Syrian opposition group backed by Western countries condemned the elections and called it a fake .

They are willing to boycott .
The general election will take place only in the government -controlled area Click and there is tight security to counter any attack rebels .

Prime Minister Wael al - Halqi said the election was " historic day " for Syria and a large number of voters who will " prove to the whole world that the Syrian people have decided and determined to make a success of the electoral process " .

Syrian Air Force Chief of Staff , General Hussein Ishaq , was killed in the midst of war near Damascus .

Ishaq reported injured when rebels attacked the air base near the city Mleiha Saturday May 17. She later died .

Isaac is one of several high-ranking military officers who were killed in the civil war this country .

Director activist group Syrian Rights Watch , based in London , Rami Abdel Rahman , said General Ishaq death was " severe psychological blow " to the Assad regime .

AU headquarters is located in an area that is contested in the current wars around Damascus , AFP news agency reports .

It has been over a month Click the Syrian military , which supported the Lebanese Shiite militant group Hezbollah , trying to dislodge rebels from Mleiha .
Rebels trying to topple the regime President Bashar al - Assad since three years ago .

Despite the conflict , the government still plans to implement the presidential election in July in the areas they control .

Over 150,000 people have died since the war happened and over one million people became refugees . BBC