Stephan Dujarric: The United States disavows the Assad regime’s presidential elections in Syria

The United States announced yesterday, Wednesday, that it has acquitted the “presidential” elections of the Assad regime, stressing that these elections do not enjoy its support and are not part of the political process that it seeks to implement in Syria under Resolution 2254.

This came in the course of the response of the spokesperson for the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Stephane Dujarric, during a press conference, to a question about the nomination of the head of the regime, Bashar al-Assad, himself for the elections and its impact on the solution in Syria.

“It is clear that we have seen the announcement of presidential elections on May 26, and these elections have been called within the framework of the current constitution,” Dujarric said.

“We do not participate in these elections, we do not have a mandate for them, and they are not part of the political process established by Resolution 2254 of 2015.”
And he added, “For our part, we will continue to emphasize the importance of reaching a negotiated political solution to the conflict in Syria.”

He continued: “You should note while you know that Resolution 2254 authorizes the United Nations to facilitate a political process that culminates in the holding of free and fair elections in accordance with the new constitution, which are administered under the supervision of the United Nations according to the highest international standards, and are inclusive of all Syrians, including expatriates.”

Last Sunday, the Assad regime announced the opening of the door for candidacy in the presidential elections and the proceeding with its play, in a move that would undermine the efforts for a political solution sponsored by the United Nations under Law 2254.

The National Coalition of Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces confirmed last November that “neither the coalition, nor the majority of the Syrian people, can participate in or recognize elections in which this murderer participates,” referring to Bashar al-Assad.
The Al-Assad family has controlled power in Syria since 1970, after the former head of the regime, Hafez Al-Assad, overthrew his Baath Party partners.