BEIRUT, Lebanon, May 3 (UPI) -- Pro-government parties Monday won the first part of Lebanon's municipal elections inflicting a humiliating defeat on the mainly Christian opposition.
Initial results confirmed the victory of government-backed, pro-Syrian groups such as Hizbullah, the Progressive Socialist Party of Druze overlord Walid Jumblat and Christian independent candidates loyal to the regime of President Emile Lahoud.
The ministry of interior estimated the turnout at 55 percent in the second municipal polls to be held in Lebanon since the end of the 15-year-long civil strife in 1990.
Divisions that plagued the Christian opposition were cited among the main reasons behind its defeat also in mainly-Christian regions such as Kesrouan, the Metn and Byblos.
The Iranian-backed Hizbullah defeated its main Shiite rival the Amal movement which is led by Speaker of parliament Nabih Berri.
Jumblat's PSP also defeated his Druze rival, state minister Talal Arslan, leader of the Lebanese Democratic Party.
The municipal polls were held in the province of Mount Lebanon on Sunday, and will be carried on over three consecutive Sundays, with Beirut next, followed by south Lebanon and then north Lebanon.
