Middle East: Syrian violence leaves scores more dead as referendum draws near

Syria defied international calls to halt attacks on rebel enclaves as at least 89 people were killed nationwide Saturday on the eve of a constitutional referendum that the opposition sees as a ploy by President Bashar al-Assad's regime.

Mr. al-Assad presented the revised charter – which allows for at least a theoretical opening of the country's political system – as an effort to placate critics and quell the 11-month uprising against his rule. But the vote is unlikely to overshadow a new round of international condemnation and calls that Mr. al-Assad leave power.

The new charter would create a multiparty system in Syria, which has been ruled by the same family dynasty since Mr. al-Assad's father, Hafez, seized power in a coup in 1963. Such change as unthinkable a year ago.

EU-Digest: unfortunately this could be a question of too little too late?

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