BBCNewswithKathyClugston
TheSyrianPresidentBasharal-AssadhasvotedinareferendumonanewconstitutionwhichhesaysisdesignedtoturnSyriaintoabeaconofdemocracy. Oppositiongroupshavedismissedthevoteasasham. Theysaidatleast 30 peoplewerekilledonSunday, manyoftheminthecontinuingonslaughtonthecentralcityofHoms. JimMuirreports.
VotingseemedtogonormallyinDamascusandsomeotherareas, andpollingwasevenextendedtilllateintheevening. ButinsomeofthemoretroubledplaceslikepartsofHoms, thereweren'tevenanypollingstations. TheAmericansareamongthosewho'vederidedthereferendum, butSecretaryofStateHillaryClintonadmittedthatthere'snoquickwayforwardintryingtoboosttheoppositionandoustPresidentAssad. Astheconflictgrindson, Homshasagainbeenthefocusofmuchoftheviolencewiththebesiegedrebel-heldquarterofBabaAmramongseveraltobebombarded.