“Assad lacked legitimacy before this election, and he lacks it afterwards. This election bore no relation to genuine democracy. It was held in the midst of civil war with millions disenfranchised, denied access to basic humanitarian aid, and with all opposition to Assad brutally suppressed. Holding an election in such circumstances is just a way of sustaining his dictatorship, and is an insult to the Syrians who have been calling for freedom and real political change.” (Foreign Secretary William Hague in a statement, 05/06/2014)