Syria: New Constitution to Limit Presidential Mandate to Two Terms?

Syria's new constitution could limit presidential term to a maximum of two seven-year mandates and put an end to the Assad dynasty.

The draft constitution will be submitted to President Bashar al-Assad just days before being put to a referendum, the Syrian newspaper Al-Watan said.

Its report came as foreign minister Walid al-Mouallem insisted that a referendum on the country's new constitution would be held in "a week or more".

During a rare televised address late last year Assad said a referendum would be held in March.

As anti-government protests continue, violence intensifies and the Arab League grows more impatient with Assad's refusal to commit to its plan for a smooth transition of power, the government may be trying to accelerate the pace of the reforms.