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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.

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"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.

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