Syrian revolt
Syria: Assad hopes to extend reign
State television showed thousands of people queuing to vote, as well as crowds waving Syrian flags.
The evacuees, mainly women, children and old men, were brought out by the UN and Syrian Red Crescent.
Syrian govt says a Russian-brokered deal that averted US strikes is a victory.
Ground fighting and air strikes have continued in nearly every province of Syria.
UN inspectors in Syria went to investigate sites of an alleged chemical weapons strike.
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad is confident his government will survive the civil war.
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's forces launched a huge offensive against rebels.
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s international opponents agreed to give urgent military support.
It was an apparent attempt to choke off a major supply line for government forces in the region.
Veto-wielding UN Security Council member Russia also criticised US plans to arm rebel forces.
Syrian protests spill over to neighbouring countries as sectarian violence continues.
Britain said it and other countries were "very reluctant" to arm Syrian rebels.
Rebels continued to suffer more casualties as the army tightened their grip of Syria.
France reiterates the use of chemical weapons in Syria reported by UN though its own investigation.
The British foreign minister has hinted at the decision to arm Syrian rebels should the talks fail.
The town of Qusair is in need of medical help after being attacked by Hezbollah guerillas and Syrian troops.
Turkey fired into Syria after an armoured vehicle came under fire from unidentified gunmen.
Wednesday’s comments were made by White House spokesman Jay Carney.
Delegates failed to cut an internal deal aimed at presenting a coherent front.