Albright group heads to Lebanon for vote

WASHINGTON, June 4 (UPI) -- The U.S.-based National Democratic Institute dispatched an international observer team to monitor the Sunday parliamentary elections in Lebanon.

Former U.S. Sen. John E. Sununu, an Arab-American of Lebanese descent, heads a team of 44 delegates to determine the impartiality of the political environment in Lebanon, NDI said.

The international delegation is scheduled to meet with party leaders, leading candidates and other top officials during election preparations.

Former U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright led an NDI delegation to Lebanon in May, saying Lebanese electoral reforms represented a "significant step" toward an independent and sovereign state.

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 vote.

Because of the political climate in Beirut, the outcome of the elections is more or less predetermined. The opposition March 8 coalition, which includes Hezbollah, could emerge with a slight majority over the pro-Western March 14 slate.

Washington said its relationship with Beirut depends on the outcome of the election, tacitly lobbying for a March 14 victory.