Syria Draft Constitution Submitted to Assad

A commission tasked with drafting a new Syrian constitution submitted a draft charter to President Bashar al-Assad on Sunday, the official SANA news agency reported.

"Assad on Sunday received a copy of the new draft constitution from the head of the national committee charged with drafting a new constitution for the Syrian Arab Republic," SANA said.

"Assad is to review the draft constitution and refer it to the People's Assembly before putting it to referendum," it added.

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 party's dominant role, and that it could be put to a popular vote as early as March.

Syria's government lifted a state of emergency in April last year and in July adopted a law allowing a multi-party political system.