Syria forms new committee to prepare draft law for general elections

English.news.cn 2011-05-12

DAMASCUS, May 11 (Xinhua) -- Syrian Prime Minister Adel Safar instructed the formation of a committee on Wednesday to prepare a new draft law for general elections compatible with the best internationally recognized standards, state official news agency SANA reported.

The committee includes figures who have the best academic, administrative and scientific efficiency and is supposed to submit its work results to the prime minister within two weeks, SANA said.

The committee has already started its work and will complete its mission in time, Syrian Deputy Justice Minister Najem al-Ahmad said in a statement, adding that the committee is studying different foreign laws and communicating with a number of experts in order to draw out the draft law of general elections.

Syria has been in unrest for more than seven weeks after the anti-government demonstrations broke up in the southern province of Daraa. The protests have spread to several other Syrian cities, leading to the death of dozens of protesters and policemen.

The ruling Baath party of Syria, which ruled the country for decades, has announced a package of reforms, including the increase of salaries and release of political detainees.

Editor: Mu Xuequan