Syria: Voting for new constitution likely on Feb 26

Syrias President Bashar al-Assad has decreed to hold a referendum for a new constitution on February 26, the official SANA state news agency reported on Wednesday.President Bashar al-Assad issued today a decree setting Sunday, February 26, as the date for the referendum on the draft constitution, SANA reported.On Sunday, a commission tasked with drawing up a new constitution submitted a draft charter to Assad, SANA reported, adding he would review it and send it to the Peoples Assembly before a vote.In January, Assad said a new constitution was being drawn up by a committee set up in October to replace the current one, which enshrines his Baath partys dominant role.At the time, he said it could be put to a popular vote as early as March, although that date for the ballot has now been brought forward.Syrias government lifted a state of emergency in April last year and in July adopted a law allowing a multi-party political system.