Siniora self-nomination criticized

BEIRUT, Lebanon, April 8 (UPI) -- The Lebanese Hezbollah warned of repercussions following the nomination of Prime Minister Fouad Siniora to a Sunni parliamentary seat for the June elections.

In one of the final days before a candidacy deadline, Siniora announced he would run for one of the two parliamentary seats in Sidon, the third-largest city in Lebanon.

Hezbollah said through its al-Manar news organization the nomination would have grave "security repercussions," calling the move an attempt to upset regional diversity.

Parliamentary Speaker Nabih Berri defended the decision by Siniora to nominate himself for the position, saying it was a right under the democratic system, Lebanon's Naharnet reports, citing Arabic-language services.

"It's his right to run and engage Sidon residents in a democratic game," the speaker said.

The Hezbollah-backed March 8 coalition is expected to mount a substantial challenge to the pro-Western March 14 slate in the June 7 elections.