Hariri coalition claims victory in Lebanon vote

[SATISH]

Hariri coalition claims victory in Lebanon vote - Middle East - World - The Times of India


BEIRUT: A US-backed coalition in Lebanon claimed victory on Monday over an alliance headed by the fundamentalist Shiite militant group Hezbollah
after a fiercely-contested election.

"This is a big day in the history of democratic Lebanon," a triumphant Saad Hariri, leader of the anti-Syrian grouping known as March 14, told cheering supporters at a rally after Sunday's vote.

"Congratulations to you, congratulations to freedom, congratulations to democracy," said Hariri, the son of slain former billionaire prime minister Rafiq Hariri.

Hariri's coalition -- which held the majority in the old parliament -- was set to win 70 seats in the new 128-seat assembly against 58 for Hezbollah and its Christian and Shiite allies, according to his Future television station.

Celebratory gunfire erupted and fireworks exploded into the sky as jubilant Hariri supporters took to the streets after the election, whose outcome is being closely watched by Lebanon's neighbours and the international community.

But in a sign of the possible danger ahead, police and soldiers were out in force in sensitive areas for fear of fighting between rivals in a war-scarred country that remains deeply divided along sectarian lines.

Analysts said the winning factions would have to work with their rivals to form a government and ensure the nation is not plunged into a new cycle of political instability and violence.

 

[alz]

BEIRUT: A US-backed coalition in Lebanon claimed victory on Monday over an alliance headed by the fundamentalist Shiite militant group Hezbollah
after a fiercely-contested election.

Hezbollah is not a "militant group" it's a political party. It's the second largest employer in Lebanon after the govt itself. It is a defender of Lebanon and is asking for resolution 1701 to be respected. All Lebanese territory needs to be returned and DAILY Israeli air incursions need to be stopped. It wasn't until recently that cluster bomb maps were given from the 06 war until then too many people were dieing. Thank you India by the way for sending fake arms and legs to aid the Lebanese.

This is a needed resistance.

"Congratulations to you, congratulations to freedom, congratulations to democracy," said Hariri, the son of slain former billionaire prime minister Rafiq Hariri.

This is a load of baloni for many reasons.
The election was bought with Saudi riyal. I PERSONALLY know Australian Lebanese people who had return airfares and 5000 dollars spending money in Lebanon just for their vote. Lebanon has a couple million inside maybe 4-5 but outside there is close to 20 million!!

Another reason why democracy should not be congratulated is the fact that only a Maronite christian can be president only a Sunni Muslim can be prime minister and only a shia Muslim can be speaker of the house. Does this sound like a democracy?! This was done for demographics of Lebanon but the numbers are outdated and decades old the majority has changed.