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Syria unrest: Local election held despite fighting Syria unrest: Local elections held despite fighting
(about 1 hour later)
Syria is holding local elections despite continuing violence between security and opposition forces.Syria is holding local elections despite continuing violence between security and opposition forces.
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. 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.Turnout is expected to be very low. Correspondents say many Syrian voters will not risk going to the polls.
Fighting is reportedly continuing in several cities. Up to 18 people were said to have been killed on Sunday. Fighting is said to be continuing in several cities, with at least seven people reported killed on Monday.
The UN estimates more than 4,000 people have died in the nine-month uprising, including 307 children. The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the deaths had occurred in two restive regions - Idlib in the north and Homs further south.
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. The group said authorities had "forced dozens of people" in Idlib to vote despite the violence, adding that two people had been killed by security forces in the province.
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. Four other civilians were killed in the central province of Homs, the observatory added.
Fierce fighting is also reportedly continuing in the southern province of Deraa.
On Sunday, activists said up to 18 people had been killed across the country - including 11 in Homs and Hama.
The UN estimates that 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.
Reports from Syria are difficult to verify as foreign journalists are unable to move around the country freely.
War zoneWar zone
The authorities say Monday's polls are part of reforms being introduced in response to the protests.The authorities say Monday's polls are part of reforms being introduced in response to the protests.
"The new election law contains the necessary guarantees for a democratic, transparent and honest election," the head of the elections committee, Khalaf al-Ezzawi, told state media."The new election law contains the necessary guarantees for a democratic, transparent and honest election," the head of the elections committee, Khalaf al-Ezzawi, told state media.
About 43,000 candidates are competing for more than 17,000 seats in local councils across Syria.About 43,000 candidates are competing for more than 17,000 seats in local councils across Syria.
Zeina, a voter in Damascus, told AFP news agency: "I voted because we want to contribute to the reforms " pledged by President Bashar al-Assad.Zeina, a voter in Damascus, told AFP news agency: "I voted because we want to contribute to the reforms " pledged by President Bashar al-Assad.
But 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.But 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.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 Bashar al-Assad from the streets, so don't expect to see pictures of candidates who are no more than stooges of the regime.""The people of Homs have removed every picture of Bashar al-Assad from the streets, so don't expect to see pictures of candidates who are no more than stooges of the regime."
Foreign pressureForeign pressure
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.
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. It also said that the general strike launched on Sunday was being widely observed in 12 provinces.
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.
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's 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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