Lebanon results expected

Troops check Christian voters' ID cards in Mount Lebanon

Ahead of the announcement of results, Lebanese officials are reporting that voting in Sunday's first round of parliamentary elections took place in a democratic and neutral atmosphere.

But independent observers denounced the polls with charges of vote buying and government meddling.

The elections were held in a democratic and neutral atmosphere - the authorities did not interfere

Michel al-Murr

Early unofficial results, reported in some of Lebanon's leading daily newspapers, suggest a strong vote for the candidates opposed to the Syrian influence in Lebanon. Official results are expected on Monday.

This weekend's polls were held in the mainly Christian north and Mount Lebanon where voters were electing 63 members to the 128-seat parliament. The rest of the country goes to the polls next weekend.

The elections, the third since the end of civil war 10 years ago, come just months after Israel ended its 22-year occupation of south Lebanon.

Irregularities

After casting his vote, President Emile Lahoud expressed satisfaction saying "the Lebanese have proved once again their respect for the status of their nation".

President Lahoud expressed satisfaction at the polls

Interior Minister Michel al-Murr told a news conference that voting was peaceful and "the authorities did not interfere".

Mr Murr's twin positions as interior minister responsible for organising the elections and as a candidate have been criticised by opposition figures and independent observers.

The Lebanese Association for Democratic Elections reported irregularities saying "candidates supported by the authorities are using their clout to influence voters".

Complicated system

Lebanon is one of the few democracies in the Middle East, and certainly has one of the most complex voting system.

Checking the complex voting forms in Baabda, east of Beirut

Half the seats in parliament are reserved for Muslims, half for Christians, with elections taking place using a convoluted quota system.

Campaigning leading up to this vote has been fierce, with tens of thousands of posters plastered everywhere.

The BBC correspondent in Beirut, Christopher Hack says though there may appear to be tremendous enthusiasm for the elections, most Lebanese know the ballot can bring no real change.

Since the end of Lebanon's civil war 10 years ago, the country has been dominated by its powerful neighbour Syria, which has some 30,000 troops stationed in the country.

Anti-Syrian vote

Reports in two of Lebanon's leading daily newspapers, an-Nahar and as-Safir, say early unofficial results show strong support for candidates backed by the Druze leader Walid Jumblatt.

During the campaign Mr Jumblatt called for greater balance in Beirut's relations with Damascus, and criticised what he sees as the pro-Syrian government of President Emile Lahoud.

The reports also suggest that Pierre Gemayel, son of former President Amin Gemayel, won a seat despite campaigning as an independent.

In north Lebanon different pro-Syrian factions are expected to win. The list headed by the strongly pro-Damascus ministers Soleiman Frangie and Nagib Miqati.