Syria set to hold presidential election

Ninety-five percent of Syrian expatriates have taken part in the presidential election as the country gets ready for the vote inside Syria.
The country’s electoral commission made the announcement on Saturday as preparations were underway to make the vote a success.
“The president of the foreign ministry’s central electoral committee said that voting took place in 43 embassies of the Syrian Arab Republic, and the participation rate by registered voters had exceeded 95 percent,” official SANA news agency said.
Some countries, however, have dismissed the election.
Syrian First Deputy Foreign Minister Faisal Miqdad accused the countries of “violating all conventions and human rights.”
Meanwhile, Lebanon announced that Syrian refugees would lose their refugee status if they return home ahead of the election.
Syria has been gripped by deadly violence since March 2011. Over 160,000 people have reportedly been killed and millions displaced due to the violence fueled by the foreign-backed militants.
According to reports, the Western powers and their regional allies — especially Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Turkey — are supporting the militants operating inside Syria.