BBC News with Iain Purdon

Egyptians have turned out in large numbers to vote on a mostly peaceful first day of elections to a new parliament - the first since President Hosni Mubarak was toppled in February. Polling stations have closed now after the governing military council kept them open an extra two hours to cope withthe long queues of voters. A US Republican congressman David Dreier is in Egypt to observe the elections.

"From what I have observed moving throughout Cairo, this is a great day for the people of Egypt. The level of enthusiasm is very high. By and large, to see the lines and the enthusiasm and the willingness of people to wait is, I think, a very encouraging sign."

A United Nations report has accused Syria of gross systematichuman rights violations during the recent anti-government demonstrations.The report alleges that torture, sexual violence and enforced disappearance were used by the government and security forces against protesters. From Geneva, here's Imogen Foulkes.