Syrian president calls for parliamentary vote in May

DAMASCUS - Reuters

In this photo released by the Syrian official news agency SANA, Syrian President Bashar Assad, right, meets with Kofi Annan, the United Nations special envoy to Syria, in Damascus, Syria, on Saturday March 10, 2012. AP Photo

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, facing a one-year revolt against his rule, set parliamentary elections under the country's new constitution for May 7, the Syrian parliament's website said.

A constitution which allows for political pluralism was approved by referendum in February. But those who have joined the uprising against Assad say the new constitution is illegitimate and insist the president must give up power.