EU sends election monitors to Lebanon

BRUSSELS, April 24 (UPI) -- A delegation of election monitors with the European Union left for Lebanon to observe the June 7 parliamentary vote.

Lebanese officials, as well as the international community, expressed hope the June parliamentary elections would strengthen national independence and democracy following years of civil conflict and Syrian dominance.

"I am confident that the forthcoming parliamentary elections will result in the formation of a stable government," said Benita Ferrero-Waldner, the EU external relations commissioner.

Around 90 observers will take part in the mission under the guidance of European lawmaker Jose Ignacio Salafranca Sanchez-Neyra, who led a similar mission to Lebanon in 2005.

The European Commission has also contributed around $5.3 million to boost electoral-reform measures in Lebanon.

Beirut passed a series of electoral reforms in 2008, including campaign and media regulations, as well as measures to conduct voting on a single day. Lawmakers passed a measure in March to lower the voting age to 18, but that measure will not be in force for the June parliamentary elections.

Observers expect a tight race in June between the pro-Western March 14 coalition and the March 8 slate, which includes Hezbollah.