Ex-Costa Rica president leads polls

SAN JOSE, Costa Rica, Feb. 6 (UPI) -- Former Costa Rican leader Oscar Arias held a slight lead Monday with more than three quarters of the ballots counted from the presidential election.

The 65-year-old Arias had 40.8 percent of the vote while his main rival Otton Solis had 40.1 percent, La Prensa Libre newspaper reported.

Pre-election election polls showed that Arias was the favorite in Sunday's election.

During his previous term -- 1986-90 -- Arias won the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts to end regional conflicts.