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Rivals claim Lebanon poll victory Opposition wins key Lebanese poll
(about 3 hours later)
Both leading parties have claimed victory in a tense by-election in a Christian stronghold near Lebanon's capital Beirut. An opposition candidate has defeated a government-backed rival in a tense by-election near Lebanon's capital Beirut, the interior ministry says.
The poll is being seen as a battle for the Christian leadership, ahead of presidential elections later this year. The poll is being seen as a key battle for the Christian leadership, ahead of presidential elections next month.
Supporters of the two sides have gathered at their nearby headquarters to await the result - between them are tanks and hundreds of troops. Opposition leader Michel Aoun acclaimed victory for his candidate over rival Amin Gemayel, who has alleged fraud.
There have been allegations of fraud in the conduct of the poll. On a tense election night supporters of the two sides were separated by tanks and hundreds of troops.
The election is one of two being contested to find replacements for two murdered anti-Syrian MPs. The election was one of two being contested to find replacements for two murdered anti-Syrian MPs.
Christian cabinet minister Pierre Gemayel was shot dead in November, and Sunni Muslim lawmaker Walid Eido was killed in a Beirut car bomb in June.Christian cabinet minister Pierre Gemayel was shot dead in November, and Sunni Muslim lawmaker Walid Eido was killed in a Beirut car bomb in June.
Unofficial results suggested the vote to replace Mr Eido in mainly Sunni West Beirut had been won easily by pro-government candidate Mohammad Amin Itani, as expected. The vote to replace Mr Eido in mainly Sunni West Beirut was won easily by pro-government candidate Mohammad Amin Itani, as expected.
Intense rivalryIntense rivalry
The headline contest, however, was in the deeply divided Maronite Christian heartland of Metn.The headline contest, however, was in the deeply divided Maronite Christian heartland of Metn.
Opposition Free Patriotic Movement (FPM) leader Michel Aoun said his candidate, Camille Khoury, had narrowly defeated Amin Gemayel, running on behalf of the government coalition. Officials said Camille Khoury, of Mr Aoun's Free Patriotic Movement, had won by a small margin.
He defeated Amin Gemayel, a former president, leader of the Phalange Party, and father of the assassinated MP whose seat was up for grabs.
CHRISTIAN RIVALRY Polls raise stakesCHRISTIAN RIVALRY Polls raise stakes
Amin Gemayel, a former president, is leader of the Phalange Party and father of the assassinated MP whose seat was up for grabs. Before the result was announced, Mr Gemayel alleged voting irregularities and demanded a re-run in one district.
He refused to admit defeat and demanded a re-run of the vote in one district.
The contest reflects the bitter struggle between the Western-backed government and the opposition alliance, which includes both Mr Aoun and Hezbollah, a Shia Muslim group backed by Syria.The contest reflects the bitter struggle between the Western-backed government and the opposition alliance, which includes both Mr Aoun and Hezbollah, a Shia Muslim group backed by Syria.
Mr Aoun and Mr Gemayel are seen as frontrunners in next month's race to succeed pro-Syrian President Emile Lahoud.Mr Aoun and Mr Gemayel are seen as frontrunners in next month's race to succeed pro-Syrian President Emile Lahoud.
Under Lebanon's sectarian political system, the presidency is reserved for a Maronite Christian, and is elected by parliament.Under Lebanon's sectarian political system, the presidency is reserved for a Maronite Christian, and is elected by parliament.
The rivalry between the two political veterans has intensified amid a wider conflict between Lebanon's pro- and anti-Syrian groups.The rivalry between the two political veterans has intensified amid a wider conflict between Lebanon's pro- and anti-Syrian groups.
Call for calmCall for calm
Mr Gemayel and his allies accuse Syria of orchestrating the shooting of his son last November and other anti-Syrian figures including Mr Eido.Mr Gemayel and his allies accuse Syria of orchestrating the shooting of his son last November and other anti-Syrian figures including Mr Eido.
Mr Aoun is a former military leader who was once a vocal critic of Syria and won a vast majority of the Christian vote in polls in 2005.Mr Aoun is a former military leader who was once a vocal critic of Syria and won a vast majority of the Christian vote in polls in 2005.
But support for the FPM slipped after Mr Aoun unexpectedly allied himself to the pro-Syria opposition movement Hezbollah.But support for the FPM slipped after Mr Aoun unexpectedly allied himself to the pro-Syria opposition movement Hezbollah.
LEBANESE BY-ELECTIONS Metn: Bitterly opposed rivals in a Christian heartland fight to replace MP Pierre Gemayel (above right), shot dead in November West Beirut: Ruling coalition candidate reported to have easy win in a mainly Sunni area where MP Walid Eido (left) was killed by a bomb in June In pictures: Lebanese voteLEBANESE BY-ELECTIONS Metn: Bitterly opposed rivals in a Christian heartland fight to replace MP Pierre Gemayel (above right), shot dead in November West Beirut: Ruling coalition candidate reported to have easy win in a mainly Sunni area where MP Walid Eido (left) was killed by a bomb in June In pictures: Lebanese vote
Turnout was high in Sunday's vote.Turnout was high in Sunday's vote.
There were reports of some fights between supporters of the two camps after polls closed being broken up by police. There were clashes between the rival Christian factions in the run-up to the vote, and reports of some fights after polls closed being broken up by police.
There were clashes in the run-up to the vote, and both leaders called for calm while the official result was awaited. Both leaders called for calm.
"We hope that everything goes quietly tonight," said Mr Aoun."We hope that everything goes quietly tonight," said Mr Aoun.
Deep problemsDeep problems
Prime Minister Fuad Siniora hailed the orderly vote as a civilised response to political assassination. Prime Minister Fuad Siniora said the largely orderly vote was a civilised response to political assassination.
The two dead politicians are the latest in a growing line of prominent anti-Syrians to be killed on the streets of Beirut.The two dead politicians are the latest in a growing line of prominent anti-Syrians to be killed on the streets of Beirut.
The assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri in a truck bomb in June 2005 drew widespread international condemnation, after which Syrian troops withdrew, after many years in Lebanon.The assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri in a truck bomb in June 2005 drew widespread international condemnation, after which Syrian troops withdrew, after many years in Lebanon.
Syria has been accused of involvement in the attack - a claim it rejects.Syria has been accused of involvement in the attack - a claim it rejects.
Lebanon is a divided country facing its biggest political crisis in years, and these by-election results will not solve the country's deeper problems, says the BBC's Christian Fraser in Beirut.Lebanon is a divided country facing its biggest political crisis in years, and these by-election results will not solve the country's deeper problems, says the BBC's Christian Fraser in Beirut.
In fact they may only raise more questions, he says.In fact they may only raise more questions, he says.
President Lahoud, who is allied with the Hezbollah-led opposition, has not given the polls his blessing, and parliamentary speaker Nabih Berri has said he will not recognise the results.President Lahoud, who is allied with the Hezbollah-led opposition, has not given the polls his blessing, and parliamentary speaker Nabih Berri has said he will not recognise the results.