Beirut – The anti-Syrian opposition captured control of Lebanon’s parliament Monday, breaking Damascus’ long domination of its tiny neighbor, and it now must turn to healing the sectarian tensions that peaked during the campaign.
Men, women and children waved flags and danced in the streets of the northern city of Tripoli as news of the opposition victory spread. In Beirut, the national capital, opposition supporters drove through the city, cheering and honking.
Interior Minister Hassan Sabei said that opposition candidates had won all 28 seats in north Lebanon in Sunday’s polling, the fourth and final round of the country’s elections. He read out the results seat by seat, confirming earlier predictions.
“The north has decided the character of the new parliament and given the absolute majority to the opposition,” opposition leader Saad Hariri said at a news conference before the official results were released.
Asked whether he would seek the premiership, the 35-year-old Hariri said he would consult his allies. The Feb. 14 slaying of Hariri’s father, former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, galvanized the movement to oust Syrian troops from the country.
Saad Hariri needed to win at least 21 of the 28 seats in the north Lebanon balloting after Christian leader Michel Aoun and his allies made a strong showing in a previous round in central Lebanon last week, denying the opposition a majority.
Hariri said he will negotiate with other blocs in the 128-member parliament to broaden his alliance.
