Syrian President Assad Sets Constitution Referendum

Created: 2012-02-16 01:25 EST
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A thick cloud of black smoke blankets the city of Homs once again.     
         
This footage from a video streaming website shows smoke billowing from a major oil pipeline which was hit by an explosion according to witnesses.     
         
The city has become the center of the 11-month uprising that has been raging against four decades of the Assad family rule.  
            
But amid the turmoil, President Bashar al-Assad has ordered a referendum on a new constitution.  
            
The announcement, made on state TV, said the vote would be held on February 26th.   
        
The new draft constitution is part of a set of reforms introduced in response to the insurgency.  
            
If passed it would restrict the president to serving a maximum of two terms of seven years and introduce a pluralistic party system.   
           
But with cities such as Homs in open revolt, critics say holding an inclusive referendum will be impossible.