Syria’s Assad Seeks Re-election
Dominic Evans of Reuters reports, “Syrian President Bashar al-Assad declared on Monday he will seek re-election in June, defying calls from his opponents to step aside and allow a political solution to the devastating civil war stemming from protests against his rule.” Assad formally submitted his nomination which Western and Arab foes decried as a parody of democracy as Syria continues to endure a civil war between Sunni Muslim rebels and forces loyal to the government. “From the start this regime is illegitimate, and so is this action,” said Hadi al Bahra, a member of the main opposition party.