Russia's plan to hold early presidential elections in Syria faces opposition

A Russian proposal to end Syria’s conflict that would include early presidential elections is facing opposition from both sides, as deep divisions remain over the fate of Bashar al-Assad.

Syrian MP Sharif Shehadeh, a member of the ruling Baath party, said there will be no presidential vote before Assad’s latest term ends in 2021.

He said parliamentary elections are an internal Syrian affair and that it was still too early to hold them.