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Opposition wins majority in Lebanon vote
(Agencies)
Updated: 2005-06-20 21:01
BEIRUT, Lebanon - The anti-Syrian opposition secured a majority in parliament
Monday, breaking Damascus' long political hold on Lebanon after opposition
candidates swept all seats in the last round of elections, according to
unofficial results.
An official in the campaign of opposition leader
Saad Hariri said the slate had won all seats in the north, guaranteeing the
parliamentary majority. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because
Hariri was expected to announce the victory himself later Monday at a news
conference.
As news of the win spread early Monday, women and children waved flags and
danced on the streets of the port city of Tripoli, capital of the north.
Motorcades with cheering, honking supporters drove through Beirut, the Lebanese
capital, in celebration.
A pro-Syrian leader acknowledged the outcome from the final round of
elections in northern Lebanon on Sunday.
The latest developments capped months of political upheaval since the Feb. 14
assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, Saad Hariri's father. Mass
anti-Syrian protests sparked by his murder led to the Syrian army withdrawing
from Lebanon in April after 29 years in the country.
The opposition has blamed Syria and Lebanese security elements loyal to
Damascus for blowing up Hariri's motorcade, killing him and 20 others on a
Beirut street. Syria has denied involvement.
Saad Hariri needed to win at least 21 of the 28 seats at stake in the north
Lebanon balloting after Christian leader Michel Aoun and his allies made a
strong showing in a previous round in central Lebanon last week, denying the
opposition a majority.
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