Lebanese elections
June 8, 2009
Hariri was expected to win 71 seats in the new 128-seat assembly and the Iranian-backed Hezbollah alliance 57 seats, according to his Future television station.
Analysts predicted another national unity government with Hariri pledging to work with the opposing camp for the sake of Lebanon.
"Congratulations to you, congratulations to freedom, congratulations to democracy," a triumphant Hariri told cheering supporters in Beirut.
"There is no winner and loser in these elections, the only winner is democracy and Lebanon," he added, calling on his supporters to refrain from provoking the rival camp.
The outcome was also welcome news for Saudi Arabia and Egypt, which back Hariri's "March 14" alliance -- the date of a 2005 rally against Syria's military presence in Lebanon.
Around 3.2 million Lebanese were eligible to vote in the poll. Preliminary figures showed a turnout of more than 54 percent.
Hariri's Future party paraded through the streets of the capital and other areas as results emerged from Sunday's closely-fought election.
About 50,000 security forces were deployed in sensitive areas for fear of fighting between rival factions in a war-scarred country that remains deeply divided along sectarian lines. There were no reports of any serious fighting.
Druze leader Walid Jumblatt, a member of Hariri's coalition, urged his supporters to refrain from street celebrations in order not to provoke opposing factions.
nrt/Reuters/AFP
Editor: Sonia Phalnikar