Syrian govt to hold referendum for new constitution on Feb 26

DAMASCUS, Syria - Syria's President Bashar al-Assad has decreed to hold a referendum for a new constitution on Feb 26, the official SANA state news agency reported on Wednesday.

"President Bashar al-Assad issued today a decree setting Sunday, Feb 26, as the date for the referendum on the draft constitution," SANA reported.

Syrian state television said the new constitution would allow the "people to govern the people" under a new multi-party democratic system.