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Syrian President Bashar al-Assad ordered the newly-elected parliament to first convene on Thursday, state-run SANA news agency reported Monday. Syrians voted on May 7 to select their new 250-member People Assembly for a four-year term. Chairman of Syrian higher committee of elections has said that the elections were conducted in a "free" climate and the voters' turnout is estimated at 51.26 percent. Khlaf Azawi said the number of eligible voters was 10.118 million, while only 5.186 million have cast valid ballots. The results of the elections show that the ruling Baath party still occupies the overwhelming majority of seats, despite the fact that new opposition figures have got a foothold in the 250- seat parliament. The parliamentary elections came as the country was passing through bloody events especially in hot areas, as well as the boycott of the elections by some of the newly-licensed parties and other opposition.

Syrian President orders new parliament to convene Thursday