Voting underway in elections in Lebanon
Initial results from the elections are expected later tonight
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Sunday, 07, Jun 2009 10:36
Voting has begun in elections in Lebanon in a poll being followed closely around the world.
The polls see the pro-western March 14 coalition pitted against the March 8 pro-Syrian, anti-US coalition led by Hezbollah.
Approximately three million people are eligible to vote in the elections which will see votes cast for 128 seats in the country's parliament.
Polling stations opened at 04:00 GMT and will close at 16:00 GMT, with initial results expected late on Sunday night.
Analysts see the elections as a good indicator of the mood in the Middle East and whether people are leaning more towards closer ties with the west, or to Syria and Iran – backers of the coalition led by Hezbollah.
The votes of Lebanon's Christian community is being seen as crucial with parties split between the two coalitions.