Anti-Syrian opposition wins majority in Lebanon's parliament

Lebanon's anti-Syrian opposition led by Saad Hariri has won an eight-seat majority in parliament, Interior Minister Hassan Sabei declared Monday.

Speaking at a news conference, Sabei confirmed that Saad's list had swept all 28 seats up for grabs in northern Lebanon on Sunday in the final round of Lebanon's parliamentary elections.

The victory will ensure Saad, the son of slain former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, and his anti-Syria alliance to take 72 seats in the 128-seat parliament.

Being the first ballot in Lebanon since Syria withdrew its troops after a 29-year presence, it was held on four consecutive Sundays from May 29 to June 19 in different constituencies across the country.

Syria completed troops withdrawal from its tiny neighbour on April 26 under intense international pressure and mass Lebanese protests following the assassination of Hariri on Feb. 14.

The death of Hariri, a Sunni and the major architect of Lebanon's post-civil war reconstruction, also plunged Lebanon into a political crisis and forced the resignation of its pro-Syrian government.

Source: Xinhua