Security tight for Lebanese elections

METN, Lebanon, Aug. 5 (UPI) -- Sunday's by-elections in Lebanon were seen as a critical test of support among the country's divided Christian community.

Thousands of voters turned out amid tight security to elect replacements for two assassinated ministers of Parliament, Pierre Gemayel and Walid Eid.

The tension was illustrated outside the headquarters of the two Christian parties in Metn, which stand only yards apart but were separated Sunday by hundreds of Lebanese soldiers, the BBC reported.

Gemayel's seat in Metn is being sought by his father, former President Amin Gemayel, 65, who is considering another run for the presidency.

Gemayel and his allies claim Syria was behind the killings of Pierre Gemayel last November and other anti-Syrian figures including Eido, killed by a car bomb in June.

Amin Gemayel's supporters have clashed with those of pro-Syrian opposition leader Michel Aoun, whose Free Patriotic Movement is contesting the parliamentary seat with candidate Camille Khory, a doctor.