Iran Urges Respect for Will of Syria Voters

Iran urged world governments Thursday to respect the will of Syrian voters in giving its close ally President Bashar Assad a new term in a poll dismissed by the West as a farce.

"Iran insists on respect for the vote of the Syrian people as they are the only ones entitled to decide their political future," the foreign ministry said.

Iran, which sent observers to monitor Tuesday's election -- held only in government-controlled areas -- said the vote had met "democratic standards."

It said it hoped the election, in which Assad took nearly 90 percent of the vote, was "a herald of a new era of stability and national unity."

Iran has been a staunch backer of Assad, providing both money and weapons, ever since the uprising against his rule erupted in March 2011.