Lebanon returns pro Western coalition to power

Lebanon's ruling coalition has claimed a victory for democracy after defeating an opposition alliance that includes the militant Shia group Hezbollah.

A record number of voters turned out to choose between the incumbent government backed by the US and an opposition alliance of Hezbollah, Shia Muslims and a large Christian bloc.

Election counting shows it is Christian parties who have lost the vote for the opposition, rather than Hezbollah.

Despite the result the ruling alliance is expected to share power with the opposition parties in a Government of national unity.

That would likely mean Hezbollah keeps its presence in Lebanon's cabinet and a right of veto over parliamentary decisions.

Hezbollah said all its 11 candidates in Lebanon's election won seats in the new 128-member parliament, but would not comment on the overall results.

"All 11 candidates we fielded in the vote have won," Hasan Fadlallah, also an MP in the outgoing parliament said.

He added that overall, Hezbollah and its allies had won 21 seats in districts in southern Lebanon and 10 seats in the eastern Baalbek region.

Coalition celebrates

Celebratory gunfire rattled through Beirut and fireworks exploded into the sky after the Western-backed coalition declared victory.

People waving the national flag and the blue banners of coalition leader Saad Hariri's party paraded through the streets of the capital as results emerged from closely-fought election.

"Congratulations to you, congratulations to freedom, congratulations to democracy," a triumphant Mr Hariri told cheering supporters as he claimed victory for his anti-Syrian coalition.

"This is a big day in the history of democratic Lebanon.

"There is no winner and loser in these elections, the only winner is democracy and Lebanon," he added, calling on his supporters to refrain from provoking the rival camp.

"Let us celebrate our victory in a civilised manner," he said.

"Let us not engage in provocation or violations that will affect this great day for democracy."

Police and soldiers were out in force in sensitive areas for fear of fighting between rival factions in a war-scarred country that remains deeply divided along sectarian lines.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• lebanon
• pro western
• shia group
• hezbollah
• christian bloc
• hasan fadlalah
• baalbek
• beirut
• saad hariri

[TheCedarRevolution]

Lebanon-1 , Syria/Iran- 0

[kretinkooper]

Congratulations Lebanon. Lebanese don't want no Jihad