Iran-backed Shia Hezbollah and its allies have lost their majority in Lebanon’s parliament. This is apparent from the results of the elections held on Sunday on Tuesday. The defeat is seen as a heavy blow to the armed group.
Reformist candidates who want to fight corruption in the country managed to secure at least 13 of the 128 seats. The Christian Lebanese Armed Forces (LF) party, which has ties to Saudi Arabia, has won 20 seats.
Tensions between LF and Hezbollah had been rising in recent times. Several people were injured in clashes between supporters of the two sides.
In the previous elections, Hezbollah and affiliated politicians won 71 seats. According to the Ministry of the Interior, they lost nine, which means they no longer have a majority. Iran already said on Monday that it would respect the results. The Tehran regime denies meddling in Lebanon’s internal affairs.
Anger still over Beirut explosion
Irregularities were reported around the polls. Several parties have already said they will contest the results. The turnout of around 40 percent was relatively low. Four years ago, half of the population still bothered to vote.
It was the first elections since 2018 in Lebanon, which is suffering from a major economic and financial crisis. There is also still anger about the enormous explosion that wreaked havoc in the port of the capital Beirut in August 2020. As a result, nearly 200 people were killed and thousands were injured.
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