The leader of Lebanon's governing pro-Western coalition has claimed victory over a Hezbollah-led bloc in the country's parliamentary election.
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. Saad Hariri in Beirut. Photo: 7 June 2009 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. 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.
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. |
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