Syria's parliament speaker said on Monday that Assad has declared his candidacy for the presidential election.

Speaker Jihad Laham made the announcement on state-run television on Monday.

Assad - who has ruled the country since taking over from his father in 2000 - was widely expected to run for a third seven-year term in office.

He is also likely to win the election, though it's unclear how the vote can take place in areas engulfed in fighting.

Supporters of the ongoing war in Syria, including Saudi Arabia and Western supporters of the Syria militants, have criticized holding the vote.

Six other contenders are in the race, including one woman.

SHI/SHI