'I am a real contender,' says Syria presidential candidate

One of two candidates running against longtime Syrian ruler Bashar Assad is casting himself as the first opposition representative to vie for the country’s top post

DAMASCUS, Syria -- One of two candidates running against longtime Syrian ruler Bashar Assad is casting himself as the first opposition representative to vie for the country’s top post. Mohamoud Marei said Tuesday that as a critic of the government who remained in Syria, he may have the keys to solving the ruinous 10-year conflict. But Marei, a lawyer who heads a small government-sanctioned opposition group, has virtually no chance of waging real competition in next week’s election to the incumbent. Assad has held power since 2000, when he took over after the death of his father who ran the country for 30 years. Despite the war, which seemed at one point to threaten his rule, Assad remained in power, supported by regional powerhouse Iran and Russia, which sent in military advisers and air power to push back the armed opposition.