Historic Syrian election begins
Sunday, 2 March, 2003, 11:25 GMT       ...........................................................Saddam Hussein Rejects Going Into Exile

President Assad introduced a degree of political tolerance		 Syrians have begun casting ballots in the country's first legislature elections since President Bashar Assad took power in 2000. 

The country's 10.8 million eligible voters went to the polls at 0700 (0500 GMT) on Sunday to select 250 parliamentarians. 

But opposition parties are boycotting the process, saying it is undemocratic. 

Mr Assad's Socialist Arab Baath Party (SABP) and six other allied smaller parties grouped in the National Progressive Front are guaranteed 127 of the 250 seats. 

Other seats are filled by independents. 
The state news agency Sana said 4,945 candidates are contesting the seats in the People's Assembly to represent Syria's 15 provinces. 

Tolerance introduced 
Since succeeding his father in 2000, the Western-educated Mr Assad has introduced much-needed economic reforms and permitted a level of political tolerance. 

"There is a feeling now that the community wants to be more involved in decision-making," analyst Sameer al-Taqi said. 

"One sign of that is that the business community was encouraged to present heavyweight independent candidates." 

Many of the candidates have gained momentum from reforms and presented ambitious programmes that aspire to a modern economy and more popular participation in political life.  
President Assad introduced a degree of political tolerance 

The current parliament finished its four-year term late last year. 

The assembly is a full legislative body that can amend the constitution and other laws and can deliver a vote of no confidence against the cabinet or any of its ministers. The president appoints the cabinet. 

But critics have denounced the house as toothless on the grounds that it has traditionally been dominated by MPs from the ruling party. 

Candidates have been on the campaign trail for a month, filling city streets with banners, pictures and tents. 

Boycott 
Although several new opposition groups have boycotted the election, some analysts and candidates said the groups had lacked the support needed to win. 

Independent candidate Yasser al-Nehlawi said the candidates that withdrew represented fairly insignificant parties. 

"I do not think that any real party has boycotted the election. They (the parties) should have taken part and displayed their (popular) base, if any," he said.