Syrian president proposes constitutional referendum

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad issued a presidential decree Wednesday, setting Feb. 26 as the date for a referendum on a new draft constitution.Meanwhile, opposition leaders refused to participate in the referendum, stressing that stopping the violence is the top priority at present.Assad received a copy of the draft constitution Sunday from the head of a national committee entrusted with drafting a new constitution, the state-run news agency SANA said, adding that after the president reviews the draft, it would be referred to the People’s Assembly before being put up for a referendum.According to Syrian state television, the draft constitution contains 157 articles divided into six basic parts: rights and freedom, rule of law, state authorities, the constitutional court, amendments to the constitution, and other general provisions. It said the draft constitution stipulates that Syria’s political system should be based on the principle of political pluralism and a democratic exercise of power through balloting boxes, and that any political activity or the establishment of parties and political gatherings should not be on a religious, sectarian, tribal or factional basis.It also limits the presidential terms to a maximum of two seven-year mandate, and has canceled Article 8, which states that the ruling Baath party is the leader of the Syrian nation and society.