Large number of voters are turning out for a tight election that could see a Hezbollah-led coalition defeat the current ruling US-backed majority. AFP - Lebanese voters flocked to the polls on Sunday in a high-stakes election that could see an alliance led by the Shiite militant group Hezbollah defeat the current ruling Western-backed coalition. Thousands of people, many sporting their party colours, lined up outside polling stations even before the vote opened in a country which has endured years of wars, sectarian unrest and political instability. "There is a huge turnout," a high-ranking security official told AFP. "We expected big crowds but not this early."
AFP - Lebanese voters flocked to the polls on Sunday in a high-stakes election that could see an alliance led by the Shiite militant group Hezbollah defeat the current ruling Western-backed coalition. Thousands of people, many sporting their party colours, lined up outside polling stations even before the vote opened in a country which has endured years of wars, sectarian unrest and political instability. "There is a huge turnout," a high-ranking security official told AFP. "We expected big crowds but not this early."
Observers of Sunday's parliamentary elections in Lebanon expect the Hezbollah-led opposition to win the majority. Analysts agree that the European Union will greet such an outcome cautiously, yet respectfully. Hezbollah is considered a terrorist organization by the United States, and a victory in Sunday's elections would certainly impact US-Lebanese relations. US Vice President Joe Biden said last month in Lebanon that Washington would weigh its continued military assistance on the outcome of the elections. The European Union, however, is expected to continue its association with its Mediterranean partner, analysts believe. "There will be continuity rather than rupture, as the first phase," said Michael Emerson, senior research fellow at the Center for European Policy Studies in Brussels. He said the EU would view the elections as "part of a civilian democratic process." "And it has to be treated with respect," Emerson said.
Hezbollah is considered a terrorist organization by the United States, and a victory in Sunday's elections would certainly impact US-Lebanese relations. US Vice President Joe Biden said last month in Lebanon that Washington would weigh its continued military assistance on the outcome of the elections.
The European Union, however, is expected to continue its association with its Mediterranean partner, analysts believe.
"There will be continuity rather than rupture, as the first phase," said Michael Emerson, senior research fellow at the Center for European Policy Studies in Brussels. He said the EU would view the elections as "part of a civilian democratic process."
"And it has to be treated with respect," Emerson said.
An anti-Syrian coalition led by Saad al-Hariri has defeated Hezbollah in Lebanon's parliamentary election on in a blow to Syria and Iran and a boost to the United States. REUTERS - An anti-Syrian coalition defeated Hezbollah in Lebanon's parliamentary election on Sunday in a blow to Syria and Iran and a boost to the United States. "Congratulations to Lebanon, congratulations to democracy, congratulations to freedom," the coalition's leader Saad al-Hariri said in a victory speech at his mansion in Beirut. The outcome was also welcome news for Saudi Arabia and Egypt, which back Hariri's "March 14" alliance - the date of a 2005 rally against Syria's military presence in Lebanon.
REUTERS - An anti-Syrian coalition defeated Hezbollah in Lebanon's parliamentary election on Sunday in a blow to Syria and Iran and a boost to the United States.
"Congratulations to Lebanon, congratulations to democracy, congratulations to freedom," the coalition's leader Saad al-Hariri said in a victory speech at his mansion in Beirut.
The outcome was also welcome news for Saudi Arabia and Egypt, which back Hariri's "March 14" alliance - the date of a 2005 rally against Syria's military presence in Lebanon.
