BBC News
Published
image captionThe vote is expected to give Mr Assad another term
Syria is to hold a presidential election next month, the country's parliament says - a move likely to maintain President President Bashar al-Assad's grip on power.
Mr Assad is not expected to face serious opposition despite continuing conflict and a growing economic crisis.
After 10 years of war the Syrian government controls most of the big population centres in the country.
About 400,000 people have been killed and over half of Syrians displaced.
The election for a president who will serve a seven-year-term will take place on 26 May, Speaker Hamouda Sabbagh said. Prospective candidates for the election would be able to register from Monday while Syrians abroad would be able to vote at embassies on 20 May.