A Report based on coverage by the Syrian Arab Television TV1 in Arabic 0658 GMT 29 May 07
Damascus Syrian Arab Television TV1 in Arabic at 0658 GMT on 29 May interrupts its normally-scheduled programming to carry live the news conference announcing the results of the referendum for a second term for President Bashar al-Asad.
The channel's correspondent at the Interior Ministry announces that in attendance are Interior Minister Major General Bassam Abd-al-Majid; the Central Referendum Committee including the chairman and members Major General Saqr Khayr and Brigadier General Hasan al-Jalali; and several journalists and media personalities representing local and international media outlets.
The correspondent introduces Interior Minister Major General Bassam Abd-al-Majid at 0700 GMT.
Abd-al-Majid welcomes the press representatives and commends their role in representing the "true" picture of what they witness.
He notes that the referendum is the "true expression and faithful representation of the people's aspirations, so that it may truly reflect their free and conscious will to develop, advance, and grow."
Abd-al-Majid says that the past years have proven Bashar al-Asad's "unique capabilities, which made him a great leader on the national level." He adds: "The Arab Syrian people have known him as a leader who speaks to his people with honesty." He notes that Al-Asad has done his utmost to protect the country's interests and enhance its stability.
He goes on to say that the past seven years have witnessed "several qualitative accomplishments" under the leadership of Bashar al-Asad in order to build a modern Syria. He adds that the internal arena has witnessed positive movement in different areas. He notes that several laws were passed in different fields which "achieved great growth momentum" in the past years.
Abd-al-Majid adds that the Arab region has witnessed great incidents which Syria faced "with great efficiency" under the leadership of Bashar al-Asad. He notes: "Syria said no to surrender and subservience; no to false democracy which causes chaos and violence yes to steadfastness and resistance; yes to the free independent national decision."
He notes that Syria played a "pivotal role" in uniting the Palestinian people, supported the aspirations of the Iraqi people, and defended Lebanon's Arabism and its national unity.
Abd-al-Majid ends by saying: "The agreement of Syrian citizens, be they on Syrian land or living abroad, on the new constitutional reign of President Bashar al-Asad is proof of our people's political maturity and an expression of a public will to continue the journey of building and liberation."
He adds that he will head to the People's Assembly to report the results of the referendum so that the necessary procedures may be completed according to the constitution.
Abd-al-Majid announces that the number of citizens with the right to vote was 11,967,611. He notes that 11,472,157 citizens participated in the referendum. He announces that the results of the referendum showed that 11,199,445 citizens voted "yes," which is equivalent to 97.62 percent of those who participated. He adds that 19,653 citizens voted against, which is equivalent to 1.071 percent. He notes that there were 253,059 invalid ballots, which is equivalent to 2.21 percent.
At 0708 GMT, Abd-al-Majid begins taking questions from the press before leaving for the People's Assembly.
Asked why the announcement of the results was delayed one day, Abd-al-Majid says that the results were announced after all the ballots were counted and at the time the ministry said it would announce the result. He adds that the inauguration would be before 17 July.
Al-Manar correspondent asks if the ministry had statistics on the voters at the Syrian-Lebanese borders, and on reports of an upcoming cabinet reshuffle. Abd-al-Majid notes that the turnout of voters at the borders was "great." On the matter of the cabinet reshuffle, he notes that the constitution does not state that there must be a reshuffle and the decision is up to the president.
Asked about the votes in the Golan Heights, Abd-al-Majid notes that it was not possible to establish committees due to the occupation, though faxes were received to support Al-Asad.
The channel ends its live coverage of the news conference at 0720 GMT.
Source: Damascus Syrian Arab Television TV1 in Arabic -- Official television station of the Syrian Government
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