Lebanese Interior Minister Ziad Baroud says today's general election passed off peacefully and a record 52 percent of the country's 3.2 million eligible voters cast a ballot. In 2005, turnout was just 45.8 percent.

Strict security measures were in place across the country; one person was injured by gunfire in Tripoli but there were no reports of major incidents. Local and international observers say the general election appeared to be free of any flagrant violations despite a few organisational problems.

Analysts say the poll is a neck-and-neck race between pro-Western parties and the Shi'ite Hizbollah movement, which is backed by Syria and Iran. The Christian minority vote is crucial and will probably decide the outcome. Initial results are expected in a few hours.