Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has issued an order allowing multi-partyism in the country, which was one of the main demands of demonstrators at the anti-government protests that began in mid-March, Sana news agency reported.
"President Assad issued today a presidential order on the law on parties," the Syrian state agency said.
The order covers the conditions for the establishment and functioning of political parties.
The only party that has existed in Syria since 1963 is Baath, which enjoys the constitutionally guaranteed status of "the governing body of the state and society."
The parties will have to respect the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, they will not be able to be based on religious or tribal teachings, nor will they be able to establish themselves as branches of a non-Syrian organization or party
On July 24, the Syrian government already adopted a draft law introducing multipartyism, but the president's order allows the law to take effect immediately without having to wait for its approval in parliament.
Future parties will have to respect the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, cannot be based on religious or tribal teachings, nor can they be established as branches of a non-Syrian organization or party.
In addition, future parties will not be able to have military or paramilitary formations, and their financing will have to be extremely transparent, according to the state agency.
Bonus video:
