U.S. Slams Syrian Elections as 'a Disgrace'

The United States on Tuesday denounced Syrian leader Bashar Assad's attempt to shore up his authority by staging presidential elections in the middle of a brutal civil war.

"Today's presidential election in Syria is a disgrace," State Department spokeswoman Marie Harf said. "Assad has no more credibility today than he did yesterday."

Voters turned out in government-controlled areas of Syria to vote in an election seen as certain to return long-standing leader Assad to office with a mandate to continue his battle against rebel forces.

At least 162,000 people have been killed in Syria since an uprising against Assad's rule erupted in March 2011, triggering a savage crackdown. More than half the population have fled their homes.

Washington blames the chaos on Assad's rule and has demanded he give way to a transitional government.  

Harf said the decision to hold elections was "detached from reality" and part of "a 40-year legacy of violent repression."