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Hizbollah concedes defeat, and issues warning

Published on 8 June 2009 - 1:13pm
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Hizbollah has conceded defeat in Sunday's elections, but has also issued a warning that its weapons arsenal is not a matter for discussion. Observers predicted that Hizbollah would win the parliamentary election; however the pro-Western 14 March Alliance won 71 seats in the 128-seat parliament. Hizbollah and its allies won 57 seats.

The 14 March Alliance is a coalition of anti-Syria political parties. The name marks the Cedar Revolution of 14 March 2005, which was sparked by the assassination of former prime minister Rafik Hariri a month earlier.

The leader of the pro-Western coalition, Saad Hariri, said the vote was a victory for freedom and democracy in Lebanon. Saad is the son of the assassinated former prime minister. Syria and Iran are the main foreign supporters of Hizbollah.

 

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RNW - NEWS, ANALYSIS AND BACKGROUND IN 10 LANGUAGES, WORLDWIDE 24 HOURS A DAY, ON RADIO, TELEVISION AND THE INTERNET