SYRIA: Syria's legislative council meets for first time since parliamentary election

Syria's legislative council on Monday (May 7) held its first meeting since parliamentary elections were held at the end of last month. Syria's ruling Baath Party and its allies dominated the parliamentary election which were held on April 22. A majority in the 250-seat assembly is reserved for the Baath, which has ruled Syria for four decades, and its allies. Almost all of the candidates were vetted and approved by the government. On Monday, many of the candidates promised to push for modernising Syria's economy and increasing popular participation in political life. "Today, the Syrian economy is facing a big opening concerning the free Arabic region and the European-Syrian partnership. When there is this kind of opening there will be some obstacles in the industrial sector and some problems in the customs and money sectors. In this round we will try to announce the needed laws to facilitate the industrial work and the Syrian economy," Parliament Member Samer al-Dibes told Reuters. Syria has been under emergency law for four decades and no opposition parties are allowed. It holds elections every four years for its assembly, called the Council of the People. The Baath, which has ruled Syria since 1963, controls all divisions of government. Power firmly rests in the hands of President Bashar al-Assad, who succeeded his late father, Hafez al-Assad, in 2000.

ITN Source | May 8, 2007

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