BEIRUT, Lebanon, May 24 (UPI) -- Billionaire Prime Minister Rafik Hariri suffered a painful defeat Monday in his hometown of Sidon on the third phase of Lebanon's municipal elections.
Initial results of the polls which took place Sunday in south Lebanon indicated Hariri's rivals won all seats on the city's 21-member municipal council dealing a fatal blow to the premier.
In other parts of the mainly Shiite-inhabited southern Lebanon, the militant Hezbollah won the majority of municipal councils in the various towns and villages, while its Shiite rival Amal movement led by parliament speaker Nabih Berri maintained its grip on the main port city of Tyre.
Interior Minister Elias Murr estimated the turnout at 65 percent, the highest so far in the municipal polls, which kicked off on May 2 in the district of Mount Lebanon.
Final official results are expected to be announced Tuesday.
The last phase of the four-stage municipal elections is to take place Sunday in north Lebanon.
