Today's Edition
DAMASCUS (AFP)
Members of local committees in Syria began on Sunday selecting members of a transitional parliament, with a third of the members appointed directly by interim leader Ahmed al-Sharaa.
The assembly's formation is set to consolidate the power of Sharaa, whose forces led a coalition that toppled longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad in December after more than 13 years of civil war.
An AFP correspondent witnessed dozens of members of the local committees queueing at Syria's National Library, formerly called the Assad National Library, to cast their vote.
According to the organising committee, more than 1,500 candidates -- including 14 per cent female candidates -- are running for the assembly, which will have a renewable 30-month mandate.
Sharaa is to appoint 70 representatives out of the 210-member body.
The other two-thirds will be selected by local committees appointed by the electoral commission, which itself was appointed by Sharaa.
The new authorities dissolved Syria's rubber-stamp legislature after taking power.
Under a temporary constitution announced in March, the incoming parliament will exercise legislative functions until a permanent constitution is adopted and new elections are held.
Sharaa has said it would be impossible to organise direct elections now, noting the large number of Syrians who lack documentation after millions fled abroad or were displaced internally during the civil war.
Speaking from the library on Sunday, Sharaa appeared to acknowledge criticism of the process being undemocratic, saying that while "it is true that the electoral process is incomplete... it is a moderate process that is appropriate for the current situation and circumstances in Syria".
Around 6,000 people are taking part in Sunday's selection process.
Preliminary results are expected to emerge after it ends, with state television reporting that some centres started counting the votes.
The final list of names is due to be announced on Monday.
