Deutsche Presse-Agentur
May 29, 2005, Sunday
19:56:17 Central European Time

EXTRA: Hariri’s son claims sweeping victory in Beirut

Beirut

Blaring car horns and thudding drums echoed Sunday across Beirut as
Saad Hariri, the son of slain Lebanese prime minister Rafik Harir,
claimed victory in parliamentary elections.

Cars flashing the blue flags of Saad Hariri’s organization roamed the
street of the capital with supporters honking and chanting slogans,
including “Beirut is loyal to Hariri.”

The nighttime celebrations came hours before any official results
were expected to be announced.

Dozens of Hariri followers gathered in front of his residence to
chant slogans hailing Saad Hariri, who was widely expected to win all
19 seats up for grabs in Beirut.

Fireworks covered the capital, especially near Hariri’s house. Hariri
loyalists were joined by followers of the outlawed Christian Lebanese
Forces party, who converged on the Hariri residence to call for
freedom for their commander, Samir Geagea, who has been jailed for 11
years.

“Moslems and Christians, national reconciliation”, Hariri chanted as
he addressed Geagea followers outside his home.

“Today, Beirut voted for national unity,” Hariri said.

Throughout Sunday, the capital had been ablaze with the red and white
colours worn by followers of Saad Hariri, the young heir to his
father’s mantle, cruising to victory in a city where his list has
already been given nine candidates out of 19 seats.

Wearing a casual blazer and jeans, Saad Hariri stood waving at his
followers and listening to their slogans.

Despite the festivities, the election fever had remained low across
the capital for the first phase of the four-round elections, as
turnout was at 28 per cent, according to preliminary results.

The low turnout has been explained by the fact that nine of the 19
seats have already been decided, and because popular former exiled
Christian General Michel Aoun – and the powerful Armenian party
Tashnag – called for the a of the Beirut round.

Aoun followers roamed the streets with T-shirts reading, “Do not
vote”, to distribute leaflets asking people to stay home and boycott
the elections.

The Lebanese elections are being held on four consecutive Sundays
through June 19. dpa wh ff