The Syrian government made clear on Tuesday it had ** intention of delaying an election that is likely to give President Bashar al-Assad a third term, regardless of war or politics. Assad, who is battling a three-year-old rebellion against his rule, has **t said whether he will stand in the election due by July, but allies in Russia and Leba**n's Shi'ite movement Hezbollah have predicted he will stand and win. International powers who back Syria's opposition have described the plans to hold elections as a "parody of democracy" that would destroy peace talks. "It is **t for any authority to postpone or cancel this election, which will be run on schedule," the newspaper quoted him as saying.