February 8, the date of referendum in Syria on electing al-Assad
Syria, Politics, 1/15/1999

The Syrian People's Assembly has set February 8 as the date for carrying out a referendum on nominating President al-Assad for a new term of office, to start as from March 13, after Syrian People's Assembly Speaker Abdul Qader Qaddoura announced that the 250 PA members had unanimously approved the nomination.

On Thursday afternoon, al-Assad met with Qaddoura and members of the PA council who conveyed the nomination decision to the president, who expressed his acceptance of the nomination.

Spokesman for the Syrian president, Jubran Koreyah, said that President al-Assad "thanked the PA members for their confidence and love," adding that it "will necessitate national responsibilities he will ever try to shoulder."

According to the Syrian constitution, the President has to be elected at least one month before the end of his term of office. President al-Assad's current term of office ends on March 12. Al-Assad ascended to power following the "Correction Movement" held in 1970, and he became president for the first time in 1971.

Tens of thousands of Syrian students staged a march at the PA supporting President al-Assad's reelection. The students who staged a four-hour march chanted slogans such as "al-Assad President for Life" and referring to his son, Bashar, as "the hope of Syria."

The students, members of the National Union of Syrian Students, a people's organization, played musical tones, while others were carrying torches at night near the house of President al-Assad in Adnan al-Malki square.

The Syrian ministry of the Interior reinforced protection measures for the British embassy, the American Cultural center and the American school against any possible emergency, such as that which happened during the support demonstration for Iraq against the US-British air strikes in December when Syrian youth climbed the building of the embassy and tore the US flag.

Previous Stories:
  Turkish steps to improve relations with Syria   (1/14/1999)
  Syrian PA unanimously supports al-Assad nomination for new term of office   (1/14/1999)
  Khaddam meets with Hawatemah   (1/13/1999)

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