This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/middle_east/8088410.stm
The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Lebanese ruling coalition claims poll victory | Lebanese ruling coalition claims poll victory |
| (about 5 hours later) | |
| The leader of Lebanon's governing pro-Western coalition has claimed victory over a Hezbollah-led bloc in the country's parliamentary election. | |
| Saad Hariri said his 14 March alliance would retain its majority in the 128-seat parliament. | |
| A key Christian ally of the Hezbollah-led alliance, which is supported by Syria and Iran, admitted defeat in Sunday's elections. | |
| Official results are due later on Monday. Turnout was more than 50%. | |
| "Congratulations to you, congratulations to freedom, congratulations to democracy," Mr Hariri told a crowd of his cheering supporters in the capital Beirut. | "Congratulations to you, congratulations to freedom, congratulations to democracy," Mr Hariri told a crowd of his cheering supporters in the capital Beirut. |
| Saad Hariri said "the only winner is democracy in Lebanon" | |
| "There is no winner and loser in these elections, the only winner is democracy and Lebanon," he added. | "There is no winner and loser in these elections, the only winner is democracy and Lebanon," he added. |
| Mr Hariri's coalition was expected to win 70 seats in the new assembly, while the Hezbollah alliance would get 58 seats, Mr Hariri's Future TV station predicted. | Mr Hariri's coalition was expected to win 70 seats in the new assembly, while the Hezbollah alliance would get 58 seats, Mr Hariri's Future TV station predicted. |
| The US, who had feared a possible Hezbollah-led bloc's victory, will now be heaving a sign of relief, the BBC's Jim Muir in Beirut says. | The US, who had feared a possible Hezbollah-led bloc's victory, will now be heaving a sign of relief, the BBC's Jim Muir in Beirut says. |
| Hezbollah's main Christian ally, the Free Patriotic Movement led by former army chief Michel Aoun, admitted defeat, but pledged to work with the winners to try to form a coalition government. | |
| "Lebanon can only be governed by a national unity government," Michel de Chadarevian, a senior member of Mr Aoun's group, was quoted as saying by AFP news agency. | |
| Christian vote | Christian vote |
| Interior Minister Ziad Baroud said turnout had exceeded that of the 2005 election and was "unheard of in the history of Lebanese elections". | Interior Minister Ziad Baroud said turnout had exceeded that of the 2005 election and was "unheard of in the history of Lebanese elections". |
| LEBANON ELECTIONS KEY FACTS 128-seat, divided along sectarian and communal lines - 64 for Muslims and 64 for ChristiansMPs elected for four-year termsVoting 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 parliamentary Speaker Nabih Birri; Free Patriotic Movement of Gen Michel Aoun. Crowds turn out for Lebanon vote In pictures: Lebanon votes Christians - vote kingmakers Q&A: Lebanese elections explained | |
| Some three million people were eligible to cast ballots. | Some three million people were eligible to cast ballots. |
| Under Lebanon's power-sharing political system, seats in the 128-member parliament are split equally between Christians and Muslims, with further sub-divisions for various sects. | Under Lebanon's power-sharing political system, seats in the 128-member parliament are split equally between Christians and Muslims, with further sub-divisions for various sects. |
| Analysts said earlier that the result could depend on which Christian politicians were elected in a few key constituencies. | Analysts said earlier that the result could depend on which Christian politicians were elected in a few key constituencies. |
| The Christian vote was said to be split evenly between the two camps. | The Christian vote was said to be split evenly between the two camps. |
| Hezbollah fielded only 11 candidates, though it is a powerful member of the broader opposition coalition, which Mr Aoun's group and the mainstream Shia movement Amal. | |
| The current majority in parliament was swept to power in 2005, following the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri in a car bombing in Beirut. | The current majority in parliament was swept to power in 2005, following the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri in a car bombing in Beirut. |
| The bombing forced Syria to withdraw its troops from Lebanon after a 29-year presence amid accusations of Syrian involvement in the attack. | The bombing forced Syria to withdraw its troops from Lebanon after a 29-year presence amid accusations of Syrian involvement in the attack. |
| The government in Damascus has strongly denied the claims. | The government in Damascus has strongly denied the claims. |
| Are you in Lebanon? What are your hopes for the outcome of this election? Send us your views using the form below. | Are you in Lebanon? What are your hopes for the outcome of this election? Send us your views using the form below. |
| The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions | The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions |