Syrian parliament
Assad holds parliamentary election as Syrian peace talks resume
The government said the vote was held to comply with the constitution, a view echoed by its Russian allies.
Officials said the election was a sign Assad was unwilling to seek a political solution to the conflict.
Despite causing a civil war which has killed more than 140,000 people, Assad wants a third term.
It was an apparent attempt to choke off a major supply line for government forces in the region.