United Nations, June 19 (RHC)-- U.S. observers who monitored the June 3rd presidential election in Syria have said that President Bashar al-Assad's victory is legitimate and an expression of the people's will.

Members of the Independent U.S. Observer Mission -- Paul Larudee, Joe Iosbaker, Judy Bello, Scott Williams and Jane Stillwater -- made the remarks on Wednesday during a press conference at the United Nations headquarters in New York. The group was part of an international observer mission with delegates from 32 countries.

The observers described the elections in Syria as “successful, free and transparent.” They endorsed the vote as an affirmation of the will of the Syrian people and noted that the massive turnout at the polls showed Syrians want peace, democracy and self-determination.