A poster with Bashar al-Assad's image in a Syrian street. (Photo: EPA)

(VOVworld) – Russia’s Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Alexander Lukashevich said Thursday on television that no grounds exist to doubt the legitimacy of the presidential elections held in Syria. Lukashevich added that Moscow regards the election as a major event to ensure state institutions can continue in Syria. By contrast, the UK criticized the elections in Syria, branding Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s election victory an “insult”, and called for true political reform in the country. British Secretary of State William Hague said Assad lacked legitimacy before the election and lacked it afterwards.