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Syria unrest: Local election held despite fighting Syria unrest: Local election held despite fighting
(40 minutes later)
Syria is holding local elections despite continuing violence between security forces and protesters.Syria is holding local elections despite continuing violence between security forces and protesters.
The authorities said the vote would be freer than in previous years, but the opposition has called for a boycott. The authorities said the vote would be freer than in previous years, but the opposition has called for a boycott and launched a general strike.
Turnout is expected to be very low. Correspondents say many Syrian voters will not risk going to the polls amid escalating violence. Turnout is expected to be very low. Correspondents say many Syrian voters will not risk going to the polls.
Sunday saw further bloodshed in several cities. Syria has refused to allow international election monitors. Fighting is reportedly continuing in several cities. Up to 18 people were said to have been killed on Sunday.
The UN estimates more than 4,000 people have died in the nine-month uprising, including 307 children.The UN estimates more than 4,000 people have died in the nine-month uprising, including 307 children.
The Syrian government says it is fighting armed groups. Many army defectors have joined the opposition in recent months.The Syrian government says it is fighting armed groups. Many army defectors have joined the opposition in recent months.
War zoneWar zone
About 43,000 candidates are competing for more than 17,000 seats in local councils across the country on Monday. The authorities say Monday's elections are part of reforms being introduced in response to the protests.
About 43,000 candidates are competing for more than 17,000 seats in local councils across Syria.
The interior ministry distributed invisible ink to prevent fraud and ensure the honesty of elections, the state-run Sana news agency said.The interior ministry distributed invisible ink to prevent fraud and ensure the honesty of elections, the state-run Sana news agency said.
The BBC's Jonathan Head in neighbouring Turkey says the vote will mean little in much of the country, where people will not vote - either because they support the opposition's call for a boycott or because going out to vote is too dangerous. The BBC's Jonathan Head in neighbouring Turkey says the vote means little in much of the country, where people will not vote - either because they support the opposition's call for a boycott or because going out to vote is too dangerous.
Our correspondent says Homs - Syria's third-largest city - resembles a war zone, with gun-battles occurring every day between army units and lightly armed opposition forces.Our correspondent says Homs - Syria's third-largest city - resembles a war zone, with gun-battles occurring every day between army units and lightly armed opposition forces.
A Homs resident told the Arabic news channel al-Jazeera: "I didn't even know an election was taking place. The people of Homs have removed every picture of [President] Bashar al-Assad from the streets, so don't expect to see pictures of candidates who are no more than stooges of the regime."A Homs resident told the Arabic news channel al-Jazeera: "I didn't even know an election was taking place. The people of Homs have removed every picture of [President] Bashar al-Assad from the streets, so don't expect to see pictures of candidates who are no more than stooges of the regime."
Eleven of the deaths on Sunday were in Homs and Hama, the anti-government Local Co-ordination Committees (LCC) said.Eleven of the deaths on Sunday were in Homs and Hama, the anti-government Local Co-ordination Committees (LCC) said.
The opposition Syrian National Council (SNC) has warned of an impending final assault on Homs by security forces.The opposition Syrian National Council (SNC) has warned of an impending final assault on Homs by security forces.
Foreign pressureForeign pressure
On Sunday the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said two people had died in clashes between troops and deserters in the northern Idlib province. On Monday the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said one person had died in fighting between troops and deserters in the northern Idlib province.
There was also a battle in the southern town of Busra al-Harir, with several armoured vehicles reported destroyed. The group said similar clashes were continuing in the southern province of Deraa. On Sunday several armoured vehicles were destroyed in a battle in the southern town of Busra al-Harir, according to observatory.
Syria severely restricts access to foreign media so reports of unrest cannot be verified.Syria severely restricts access to foreign media so reports of unrest cannot be verified.
President Assad is under international pressure to end the continuing crackdown on anti-government protesters.President Assad is under international pressure to end the continuing crackdown on anti-government protesters.
United Nations Human Rights Commissioner Navi Pillay is due to brief the Security Council on the situation in Syria later on Monday.United Nations Human Rights Commissioner Navi Pillay is due to brief the Security Council on the situation in Syria later on Monday.
On Saturday, the Arab League is due to discuss Damascus' conditional acceptance of the league's plan to send in monitors to assess the violence.On Saturday, the Arab League is due to discuss Damascus' conditional acceptance of the league's plan to send in monitors to assess the violence.
Last month the league suspended Syria's membership in protest at the continuing crackdown and also imposed economic sanctions.Last month the league suspended Syria's membership in protest at the continuing crackdown and also imposed economic sanctions.
Are you voting in the elections? You can tell us about your thoughts and experience of the vote today by filling in the form below.Are you voting in the elections? You can tell us about your thoughts and experience of the vote today by filling in the form below.
Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.
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