Voting in Lebanon begins

The people of Lebanon have been voting in parliamentary elections, the third poll since the end of the civil war ten years ago.

Over this weekend and next, one-hundred-and-twenty MPs will be elected using a complex system to ensure equal representation for Muslims and Christians. People in the north and Mount Lebanon have been voting this weekend; the rest of the country will vote next weekend. The BBC Beirut correspondent says in the polling stations he's visited, voting was brisk and relaxed with many people turning out with their families.

Some said they were hoping for change but our correspondent says the continuing domination of Lebanon by its neighbour Syria means that few candidates can stand without Syria's support and little change is actually expected.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service