Syrian presidential election will not be delayed - minister

BEIRUT (Reuters) - The Syrian government made clear on Tuesday it had no intention of delaying an election that is likely to give President Bashar al-Assad a third term, regardless of war or politics.

Assad, who is battling a three-year-old rebellion against his rule, has not said whether he will stand in the election due by July, but allies in Russia and Lebanon's Shi'ite movement Hezbollah have predicted he will stand and win.