BEIRUT, May 05. /ITAR-TASS/. The speaker of the Syrian People’s Council, Mohammad Jihad al-Laham, sent on Monday messages to speakers from friendly to Syria countries, including Russia, inviting their delegations to Damascus to monitor the presidential election slated for June 3.
“We invite groups of deputies and experts from the countries that take an objective stance on the Syrian events. We will be grateful to our colleagues if they take part in the monitoring of a free and democratic atmosphere of the vote,” the speaker said, noting that it would be the first in the country’s history election on an alternative basis.
According to the speaker, 24 Syrian nationals representing all social layers and religious confessions had been nominated and submitted documents to the Supreme Constitutional Court. However, only three contenders, including President Bashar al-Assad, managed to secure support of 35 deputies necessary for the registration.
“The Syrian people will be electing the head of state in conditions of a hostile information campaign unleashed by Western and Arab media outlets that has continued since the start of the crisis until the present moment. Its aim is to distort the real situation for the sake of a plot to destroy the country,” the speaker said.
“Those who wage war against Syria do not conceal their spite and concern over the fact that the election will proceed within the timeframe envisaged by the Constitution. They are trying to openly interfere in internal affairs, although it is the sovereign right of the Syrians themselves to determine when exactly to elect the president, al-Laham said.
Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) reports that the invitations have been sent to Russia, China, India, Brazil, South Africa, Venezuela, Cuba, Nicaragua, Bolivia, Ecuador and Armenia.