Voting has closed in the second and final round of the parliamentary elections in Lebanon, where opponents of President Emile Lahoud are expected to make further gains. The people of Southern and Eastern Lebanon, along with those in the capital, Beirut, went to the polls today. This was the first poll in nearly 30 years to include the Southern border region, which was previously occupied by Israel. Voting took place in Northern Lebanon last week. Trends there showed surprising gains for the opposition.
Further gains were expected today for supporters of the former Prime Minister and property developer, Rafik Hariri. Many Lebanese associate Hariri with times of plenty and want him back, despite the allegations of corruption and complaints about economic policy that accompanied his time in office. The results of the election are expected at around 6.00pm tomorrow.
