Bashar al-Assad's victory in Syria's presidential election shows citizens' support for his policy for a peaceful settlement in the country, Sergei Tsekov, a member of the Federation Council's international committee, told RIA Novosti on Friday.
Al-Assad won the presidential election with more than 95 percent of the vote.
"This is a convincing victory that shows the support of the Syrian people for their president. It provides an opportunity to continue the multifaceted activities to establish peace and tranquility on Syrian territory. It gives hope for the unification of Syrian lands," the politician said.
He noted that al-Assad has proven to be a strong president who has not left his country in a difficult period, he is able to find allies and friends and "does not bow his head before his enemies."
Commenting on Western criticism of the Syrian elections, Tsekov noted that the West "in its own countries does not recognize flagrant violations, as it did during the election campaign in the United States". But at the same time, Western politicians criticize other states that live by their own internal laws and to which "they are trying to impose their will."
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Photo: Hassan Ammar / AP / TASS
Based on materials from RIA Novosti