Xi Jinping repeats call for political solution to end Syrian civil war
President does not mention Assad election win which the US labelled a 'disgrace'
President Xi Jinping yesterday repeated a call for a political resolution to the Syrian crisis via a transitional government, and offered to boost aid for refugees, after Bashar al-Assad was re-elected Syrian president with 88.7 per cent of the vote.
The poll, where the result was never in doubt, was labelled a farce by rebels fighting to overthrow Assad.
The other candidates in Tuesday's vote - Hassan al-Nuri and Maher al-Hajjar - won 4.3 per cent and 3.2 per cent respectively, parliamentary speaker Mohammad al-Lahham said.
"I congratulate Syria for choosing its chief, who will carry its people to the shores of security and stability," Lahham said.
China and Russia, have both vetoed Western efforts to set UN penalties on Assad, although Beijing has been keen to show it is not taking sides and has urged the Syrian government to talk to the opposition.
It also has called for a transitional government.