Al-assad: local councils elections at 12 Dec

President Bashar al-Assad on Wednesday issued decree No. 391 for 2011 on specifying Monday, December 12th, 2011 as the date to conduct the elections of Local Councils. Minister of Local Administration Omar Ibrahim Ghalawanji said in a statement to SANA that the issuance of the decree stresses the seriousness and credibility of the leadership in committing to have the elections conducted before the end of 2011 as it had been previously announced. The Minister highlighted the significance of the new Local Administration Law in terms of the positive reflections it will have on the ground and the important changes it will make in the life of citizens. "This will happen through the election of well-qualified and experienced members who will work on upgrading the service and development situation at the local units," added Ghalawanji. He underscored the principles of decentralization and democracy which the new law will realize through the participation of the local communities in the issues that concern them. The Local Administration Law was issued by a legislative decree no. 107 for 2011 last August 23rd.