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DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) — The Syrian government says it will hold presidential elections on June 3.
Today's announcement by the parliament speaker comes just hours after a pair of mortars exploded near the parliament building in central Damascus, killing five people.
President Bashar Assad is likely to seek another seven-year term in office despite an uprising against his rule that is now in its fourth year.
The country's conflict has killed more than 150,000 people and forced one-third of the country's population from their homes.
The speaker says candidates seeking to run for president can start registering their candidacy from April 22.
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