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/6931761.stm

The article has changed 22 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 9 Version 10
Thousands of Lebanese cast votes Thousands of Lebanese cast votes
(about 1 hour later)
Tens of thousands of Lebanese have cast their votes in tense polls to find replacements for two murdered MPs from the ruling anti-Syrian coalition.Tens of thousands of Lebanese have cast their votes in tense polls to find replacements for two murdered MPs from the ruling anti-Syrian coalition.
Security is tight at the by-elections in Beirut and the deeply- divided Christian stronghold of Metn.Security is tight at the by-elections in Beirut and the deeply- divided Christian stronghold of Metn.
But no violence has been reported at busy polling stations in either area.But no violence has been reported at busy polling stations in either area.
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.
The vote to replace Mr Eido in mainly Sunni West Beirut is widely expected to be won by the candidate from the ruling Western-backed anti-Syrian majority.The vote to replace Mr Eido in mainly Sunni West Beirut is widely expected to be won by the candidate from the ruling Western-backed anti-Syrian majority.
Civil strifeCivil strife
But a fierce struggle is under way between two bitter rival parties in the Maronite Christian heartland of Metn.But a fierce struggle is under way between two bitter rival parties in the Maronite Christian heartland of Metn.
Former President and Phalange Party leader Amin Gemayel, 65, is standing to replace his murdered son, Pierre.Former President and Phalange Party leader Amin Gemayel, 65, is standing to replace his murdered son, Pierre.
[Pierre Gemayel] was killed one time, we don't want to kill him two times Alexander Daghervoter in Metn [Pierre Gemayel] was killed one time, we don't want to kill him two times Alexander Daghervoter in Metn class="" href="/1/hi/puffbox/promo/regular/6932322.inc">In pictures: Lebanese vote
His supporters have clashed with those backing the candidate of the Free Patriotic Movement (FPM) of former military chief Michel Aoun.His supporters have clashed with those backing the candidate of the Free Patriotic Movement (FPM) of former military chief Michel Aoun.
Mr Aoun and Mr Gemayel are potential candidates in this year's election to select a successor to pro-Syrian President Lahoud.Mr Aoun and Mr Gemayel are potential candidates in this year's election to select a successor to pro-Syrian President Lahoud.
Their rivalry has intensified amid a wider conflict between Lebanon's pro- and anti-Syrian groups.Their rivalry has intensified amid a wider conflict between Lebanon's pro- and anti-Syrian groups.
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.
'High turnout''High turnout'
Army and police patrols have been on guard outside polling stations across the Metn mountains, where the vote is said to be on a knife edge.Army and police patrols have been on guard outside polling stations across the Metn mountains, where the vote is said to be on a knife edge.
The BBC's Christian Fraser in Lebanon said turnout for the by-elections looked high, with queues two and three deep at some polling stations.The BBC's Christian Fraser in Lebanon said turnout for the by-elections looked high, with queues two and three deep at some polling stations.
LEBANESE BY-ELECTIONS Metn: Bitterly opposed rivals in a Christian heartland are fighting to replace MP Pierre Gemayel (above right), shot dead in November West Beirut: Ruling coalition candidate is expected to have easy win in a mainly Sunni area where MP Walid Eido (left) was killed by a bomb in JunePolls close at 1800 (1500 GMT) Polls raise stakesLEBANESE BY-ELECTIONS Metn: Bitterly opposed rivals in a Christian heartland are fighting to replace MP Pierre Gemayel (above right), shot dead in November West Beirut: Ruling coalition candidate is expected to have easy win in a mainly Sunni area where MP Walid Eido (left) was killed by a bomb in JunePolls close at 1800 (1500 GMT) Polls raise stakes
Although General Michel Aoun insists he is not pro-Syrian, in the forthcoming presidential elections he is the preferred candidate of Hezbollah, our correspondent adds.Although General Michel Aoun insists he is not pro-Syrian, in the forthcoming presidential elections he is the preferred candidate of Hezbollah, our correspondent adds.
The FPM is contesting the seat with Camille Khoury, a doctor, as its candidate.The FPM is contesting the seat with Camille Khoury, a doctor, as its candidate.
The headquarters of the two Christian parties, which stand just 500 metres apart, are separated by hundreds of Lebanese soldiers.The headquarters of the two Christian parties, which stand just 500 metres apart, are separated by hundreds of Lebanese soldiers.
Amin Gemayel said on Sunday he was standing on behalf of everyone who had died for Lebanon, including his son.Amin Gemayel said on Sunday he was standing on behalf of everyone who had died for Lebanon, including his son.
Alexander Dagher, a voter in Metn, told the BBC that he had turned out to prevent the late Pierre Gemayel being "killed again".Alexander Dagher, a voter in Metn, told the BBC that he had turned out to prevent the late Pierre Gemayel being "killed again".
The by-elections threaten to deepen Lebanon's political divisions, correspondents say.The by-elections threaten to deepen Lebanon's political divisions, correspondents say.
They do not have the required approval of President Emile Lahoud, who is allied with the Hezbollah-led opposition, as is parliamentary speaker Nabih Berri.They do not have the required approval of President Emile Lahoud, who is allied with the Hezbollah-led opposition, as is parliamentary speaker Nabih Berri.
Mr Berri has said he will not recognise the results.Mr Berri has said he will not recognise the results.
Under Lebanon's sectarian political system, the president is a Maronite Christian, the prime minister a Sunni Muslim and the speaker a Shia Muslim. Parliament elects the president.Under Lebanon's sectarian political system, the president is a Maronite Christian, the prime minister a Sunni Muslim and the speaker a Shia Muslim. Parliament elects the president.