26 killed in Syria on referendum day

Voting on the new constitution in Syria continues, whereas 26 were killed today, mostly in Homs. Opposition called for boycotting the referendum as it has no legitimacy. Meanwhile, 12-hour negotiations between the International Commission of the Red Cross and the Syrian authorities to evacuate victims from Homs ended without reaching solutions. Syrian official TV is broadcasting directly the progress of the voting process from different provinces. TV reported that the voting saw a high turnout of the Syrian people. It is note worthy that the new constitution cancels the leading rule of the Baath Party. In addition, article 88 states that the President cannot be elected for more than two terms, each of which is seven years. However, article 155 stipulates that this is not applicable on the current president and will be effective as of the next presidential elections in 2014. The constitution, however, maintains wide powers to the president. This referendum comes amidst a large-scale protest against the Syrian regime, which is faced with a bloody brutal campaign that killed more than 7500 people so far, according to the London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. It has been reported that a number of neighborhoods near Baba Amr are now exposed to gunfire on houses, as well as break-ins, homes looting and burning, driving people out of their residences. An activist reported, Sunday morning, that explosions could be heard everywhere. In addition, bullets of snipers are shot at people walking the streets, and houses are ruined. He compared the scene to watching a news bulletin about Palestine or Hiroshima. "No electric power, no water, no communications, no clean air," he added. On another note, four regular troops including a senior officer were shot in clashes in Hamidieya neighbourhood between the army and a splinter group. In Daraa three security men were killed after targeting their car, also two soldiers were killed in clashes in the same city.