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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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