Russia has welcomed Syria's holding of a constitutional referendum ending the ruling Baath Party's monopoly on power in the country as a step toward democracy, Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Monday, Feb 27.

"I think that those who see this as a move toward democracy are right. The end of a monopoly position by one party in the political system should be welcomed," Lavrov said at a press conference with diplomats from Myanmar, RIA Novosti reported.