The Syrian government has held a referendum on a new constitution as violence continues around the country.

27.02.2012

The Syrian government pressed ahead with organising the referendum despite the unrest, setting up more than 13,000 polling stations for 14.6m voters. State television showed people voting in Damascus and various other places, and it all looked fairly normal.

Among the voters casting his ballot in the capital was President Assad himself.

He sees the new constitution as the key element in a reform process he says will make Syria a beacon of democracy in the region.

Under it, a multi-party system would replace the old monopoly of power enjoyed by the ruling Baath Party.

Turkey's Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu expressed doubt about the timing of the vote: "On one hand you say you are holding a referendum and on the other you are attacking with tank fire on civilian areas”.