Syrians are voting in parliamentary elections, for the second time since fighting began in 2011.  Polls opened this morning and are expected to last 12 hours. More than three thousand candidates are vying for the 250 legislative seats. Our correspondent Alaa Ebrahim in Damascus joins us live with the latest.

Q1. Alaa, the elections come under a fragile truce between the government and the oppositions.  And the terrorist group ISIL still controls large parts of the country. What's the atmosphere like at polling stations? 

Q2. The country has suffered for more than 5 years. What changes do Syrians expect from the elections?