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| Campaigns end in key Lebanon vote | Campaigns end in key Lebanon vote |
| (about 7 hours later) | |
| Campaigning has ended in Lebanon, a day ahead of Sunday's crucial election that pits the ruling Western-backed coalition against a Hezbollah-led bloc. | Campaigning has ended in Lebanon, a day ahead of Sunday's crucial election that pits the ruling Western-backed coalition against a Hezbollah-led bloc. |
| Analysts predict a close result between the US-backed 14 March alliance, which has a small majority in parliament, and its rivals, backed by Syria and Iran. | Analysts predict a close result between the US-backed 14 March alliance, which has a small majority in parliament, and its rivals, backed by Syria and Iran. |
| Thousands of Lebanese expatriates have flown home to vote. | Thousands of Lebanese expatriates have flown home to vote. |
| Some 50,000 security personnel have been deployed to prevent violence, although none has been reported so far. | Some 50,000 security personnel have been deployed to prevent violence, although none has been reported so far. |
| Knife-edge vote | Knife-edge vote |
| Under Lebanon's political system, seats in parliament are split equally between Christians and Muslims, with further sub-divisions for each sect. | Under Lebanon's political system, seats in parliament are split equally between Christians and Muslims, with further sub-divisions for each sect. |
| LEBANON ELECTIONS KEY FACTS 128-seat parliament. Seats divided along sectarian and communal lines - 64 for Muslims and 64 for ChristiansMPs elected for four-year terms in 26 multi-seat constituenciesVoting age 21 yearsMain factions: 14 March Coalition: Future movement, Progressive Socialist Party, Christian Lebanese Forces, Christian Phalangist party. 8 March Coalition: Hezbollah, Amal movement headed by the current parliamentary speaker, Nabih Birri. Free Patriotic Movement of Gen Michel Aoun Q&A: Lebanese elections explained href="/1/hi/world/middle_east/8087091.stm">Lebanese Christian - vote kingmakers class="" href="/1/hi/world/middle_east/8083948.stm">Voters flock for knife edge vote | |
| The BBC's Jim Muir in Beirut says competition is particularly fierce in Christian constituencies, with the Christian vote split evenly between the two camps. | The BBC's Jim Muir in Beirut says competition is particularly fierce in Christian constituencies, with the Christian vote split evenly between the two camps. |
| In most other areas, the outcome can be predicted with relative certainty. | In most other areas, the outcome can be predicted with relative certainty. |
| Hezbollah is fielding only 11 candidates for the 128-member parliament, though it is a powerful member of the broader opposition coalition, which includes the maverick Christian leader Michel Aoun, and the mainstream Shia movement Amal. | Hezbollah is fielding only 11 candidates for the 128-member parliament, though it is a powerful member of the broader opposition coalition, which includes the maverick Christian leader Michel Aoun, and the mainstream Shia movement Amal. |
| As such, Western fears of a Hezbollah "takeover" do not really fit the bill, our correspondent says. | As such, Western fears of a Hezbollah "takeover" do not really fit the bill, our correspondent says. |
| Voting will begin early on Sunday morning. | Voting will begin early on Sunday morning. |