ALLIES OF SYRIA'S ASSAD PRAISE VOTE

DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) — A delegation of legislators and dignitaries from more than 30 countries, led by allies of President Bashar Assad, have praised this week's presidential elections in Syria, saying they pave the way for "stability and national agreement."

The delegation, including members from Iran, Russia and Venezuela, toured polling stations on Tuesday during Syria's first multicandidate presidential election in decades.

Assad is widely expected to win the vote that took place amid a civil war that activists say has killed more than 160,000 people.

In a final statement read Wednesday by Alaeddin Boroujerdi, head of the Iranian parliament's Committee on National Security, the group blamed the U.S and its allies for "crimes committed against the Syrian people."

The United States and the European Union support the rebellion against Assad.