displaced people, refugees and members of the diaspora were unable to participate in a safe and neutral environment without threat of intimidation. Other states Russia said "A decisive victory was won by the incumbent head of state... We view the elections as a sovereign affair of the Syrian Arab Republic and an important step towards strengthening its internal stability." Belarusian president Lukashenko congratulated Assad on his victory saying that "...winning the presidential election is an evidence of recognition of the President al-Assad ‘s national role as a national leader who confidently defends his country against foreign interference, and fights for peace and stability in Syria." North Korean president of the State Affairs of the DPRK Kim Jong-un congratulated Assad on his victory ''through the election the Syrian government and people demonstrated at home and abroad their will to resolutely frustrate the ceaseless aggression and obstructive moves and threats by the imperialists and all sorts of other hostile forces and firmly defend the sovereignty and security of the country under the leadership of Bashar Al-Assad", with hopes of future cooperation between the two countries. Notes References External links Joint Statement by the Secretary of State of the United States of America, the Foreign Secretary of the United Kingdom, and the Foreign Ministers of France, Germany, and Italy US State Department (25 May 2021) Syria Presidential election 2021 in the Syrian civil war Syria Presidential elections in Syria 2020s in Syrian politics