Syrian influence felt in Lebanese polls

Former prime minister Rafik Hariri could make a come-back

By Christopher Hack in Beirut

Voters in Lebanon go to the polls on Sunday for the second round of parliamentary elections.

Almost two million people in the capital Beirut, the eastern Bekaa valley, and the south will elect 65 MPs, in the third parliamentary elections since the end of the civil war 10 years ago.

Hezbollah is expected to see an electoral boost

Before the first round on 27 August, many voters said they would boycott the polls, and a number of candidates refused to take part.

Neighbouring Syria has controlled Lebanon since the end of the war, and critics said members of the government and security services had rigged the vote to exclude Syria's opponents.

During the past year, the government has worked hard to ensure its candidates would be re-elected.

Opposition gains

Constituencies were redrawn and many opposition candidates were prevented from running.

Voting facts

Third parliamentary poll since the end of the civil war in 1990

The 128-member parliament will choose a prime minister

Seats are split equally between Christians and Muslims

There are few political parties

Having prepared the ground, the government did not directly intervene in the first round vote.

Some believe the president thought his government was more popular than it is.

When the polls closed, it was clear that those opposed to the current government had made sweeping gains.

First vote in south

Walid Jumblatt, leader of the minority Druze community, and a fierce critic of the current government, swept the board in his constituency, with all eight members of his electoral list elected.

Many in the south are voting for the firs time in a quarter of a century, following the end to Israel's military occupation in May.

There were gains for opposition, including Walid Jumblatt

Hezbollah, the Islamic movement which led the guerrilla war against Israel, is expected to see an electoral boost.

In Beirut, former prime minister Rafik Hariri - a self-made billionaire property tycoon - is standing against government-sponsored politicians.

He is reported to have spent more than $50m on campaigning.

Given the strong opposition vote in the first round, many expect Mr Hariri and his candidates to sweep the board, possibly giving him up to 70 seats in the 128-seat legislature.

The billionaire Mr Hariri has reportedly spent $50m on campaigning

In most democracies, such support would assure him of a return to power.

But political leaders in post-war Lebanon are chosen directly by Syria, irrespective of voting patterns.

Furthermore, the country's Syrian-sponsored president, Emile Lahoud, has a personal dislike of Mr Hariri, and has said he could never work with him.

If Mr Hariri, as expected, scores a big electoral win, all eyes will be on Syrian president Bashar al-Assad in the coming weeks.

The nation will be waiting to see whether he takes the side of voters and appoints Mr Hariri, or sticks to those figures, including the president, who have served Syria in recent years.