Syrians went to the polls on Sunday to re-elect President Bashar al-Assad for a second term in a ballot for which he was the only candidate allowed to run.
With Iraq plunging into sectarian strife and instability in Lebanon, state media and the ruling Baath party have emphasised Mr Assad's command of a strong state, economic reform and his vision of upholding Arab rights in the struggle with Israel.
"With Bashar, Syria is the homeland of security and stability," the government said in a message to mobile phone subscribers in a million-dollar campaign launched along with businessmen close to the ruling class.
Parliament unanimously chose the 41-year-old as the sole candidate for president earlier this month. At least one other contender, a lawyer, said his application was ignored. The presidential term is seven years.
Baath Party functionaries, public sector employees and members of the large security apparatus were among the first at polling booths when they opened.
"I voted yes because Bashar means that we don't have to worry about violence ruining our lives," said Mayada al-Halabi, who heads a government department.
Bashar won 97.29 per cent of the vote last time when he succeeded his late father, Hafez al-Assad, in 2000. Similar margins were normal in such votes during the elder Assad's rule.