Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated Bashar al-Assad on his victory in the Syrian presidential election. In a congratulatory telegram distributed on Friday by the Kremlin press service, the Russian leader noted al-Assad's political authority and stressed his readiness to continue to support the republic.
"The results of the vote have fully confirmed your high political authority and the confidence of your fellow citizens in the course pursued under your leadership to stabilize the situation in Syria as soon as possible and to strengthen its state institutions," the telegram said.
Putin also "stressed that the Russian side intends to continue to provide all possible support to its Syrian partners in fighting the forces of terrorism and extremism, and also in promoting the process of political settlement and post-conflict reconstruction of the country".
Hammoud Sabag, chairman of Syria's People's Council (parliament), announced on Thursday that al-Assad won the Arab republic's presidential election, which was held on May 26, with the support of 95.1% of voters.
The presidential term, according to the 2012 constitution, is seven years. The previous election was held in 2014, in which al-Assad received the support of 88.7% of voters.
The current head of state succeeded his father, Hafez al-Assad, who ruled the country with an "iron hand" for three decades in 2000. In 2007, Bashar al-Assad was elected for the second presidential term by referendum and sworn in before the People's Council. Al-Assad is the Secretary-General of the Arab Socialist Ba'ath Party, which has been in power in Damascus since 1963.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: official website of the President of the Russian Federation
Based on materials from TASS