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Lebanon confirms Hariri election win Lebanon confirms Hariri election win
(10 minutes later)
Official results released a day after Lebanon's hotly-contested parliamentary election have confirmed the pro-Western coalition has held on to its majority.Official results released a day after Lebanon's hotly-contested parliamentary election have confirmed the pro-Western coalition has held on to its majority.
Interior Minister Ziad Baroud confirmed that the coalition led by Saad Hariri had won 71 seats in the 128-member body, one more than four years ago.Interior Minister Ziad Baroud confirmed that the coalition led by Saad Hariri had won 71 seats in the 128-member body, one more than four years ago.
The bloc led by militant and political movement Hezbollah won 57 seats.The bloc led by militant and political movement Hezbollah won 57 seats.
Mr Baroud said voting passed off satisfactorily, despite some organisational problems.Mr Baroud said voting passed off satisfactorily, despite some organisational problems.
Security has been tightened and political leaders appealed for calm throughout Lebanon, which last year witnessed pitched battles between rival factions.Security has been tightened and political leaders appealed for calm throughout Lebanon, which last year witnessed pitched battles between rival factions.
A possible victory for Hezbollah, which is supported by Syria and Iran, had caused jitters among Western governments, and the US was threatening to withdraw its aid package to Lebanon.A possible victory for Hezbollah, which is supported by Syria and Iran, had caused jitters among Western governments, and the US was threatening to withdraw its aid package to Lebanon.
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 (Sunni); Progressive Socialists (Druze); Lebanese Forces (Maronite); Phalange (Maronite)- Opposition list: Hezbollah (Shia); Amal (Shia); Free Patriotic Movement (Maronite) Crowds turn out for Lebanon vote In pictures: Lebanon votes Christians - vote kingmakers Q&A: Lebanese elections explained
The turnout was 54%, Mr Baroud said, the highest percentage among Lebanon's three million voters since the 1975-91 civil war.The turnout was 54%, Mr Baroud said, the highest percentage among Lebanon's three million voters since the 1975-91 civil war.
The campaign was marred by mud-slinging and accusations that large numbers of expatriate Lebanese were flown home for free to cast votes.The campaign was marred by mud-slinging and accusations that large numbers of expatriate Lebanese were flown home for free to cast votes.
Lebanon is a country of deeply-fragmented religious sects, and this election broadly pitted Shia Muslim supporters of Hezbollah against Sunni Muslims and Druze supporting the 14 March coalition.Lebanon is a country of deeply-fragmented religious sects, and this election broadly pitted Shia Muslim supporters of Hezbollah against Sunni Muslims and Druze supporting the 14 March coalition.
The crucial electoral show-down had been between Christian rivals, who although they make up only one third of the population are constitutionally guaranteed an equal half share of parliamentary seats.The crucial electoral show-down had been between Christian rivals, who although they make up only one third of the population are constitutionally guaranteed an equal half share of parliamentary seats.
The influential Christian Maronite community was split between established Western-orientated factions and the Free Patriotic Movement of former army chief Michel Aoun which joined the pro-Syria faction in 2006.The influential Christian Maronite community was split between established Western-orientated factions and the Free Patriotic Movement of former army chief Michel Aoun which joined the pro-Syria faction in 2006.
As predicted, Hezbollah and its smaller Shia ally Amal swept the vote in Lebanon's mainly Shia areas, but the FPM lost in the key Christian districts of Zahleh and Beirut First district.As predicted, Hezbollah and its smaller Shia ally Amal swept the vote in Lebanon's mainly Shia areas, but the FPM lost in the key Christian districts of Zahleh and Beirut First district.