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Tensions high for Lebanon polls Tensions high for Lebanon polls
(20 minutes later)
Security is tight for two Lebanese by-elections set to choose replacements for murdered MPs from the ruling anti-Syrian coalition.Security is tight for two Lebanese by-elections set to choose replacements for murdered MPs from the ruling anti-Syrian coalition.
The vote in Metn to replace former minister Pierre Gemayel is being seen as a key test of support among the deeply divided Christian community.The vote in Metn to replace former minister Pierre Gemayel is being seen as a key test of support among the deeply divided Christian community.
Mr Gemayel's father, ex-President Amin Gemayel, 65, is running for the seat.Mr Gemayel's father, ex-President Amin Gemayel, 65, is running for the seat.
Supporters of the former president have clashed with those of pro-Syrian opposition leader Michel Aoun.Supporters of the former president have clashed with those of pro-Syrian opposition leader Michel Aoun.
[Pierre Gemayel] was killed one time, we don't want to kill him two times Alexander Daghervoter in Metn
Mr Aoun's Free Patriotic Movement (FPM) is contesting the seat with Camille Khoury, a doctor, as its candidate.Mr Aoun's Free Patriotic Movement (FPM) is contesting the seat with Camille Khoury, a doctor, as its candidate.
Both Mr Aoun and Mr Gemayel are potential candidates in this year's divisive presidential election and the race in the in the Metn mountains is expected to be close.Both Mr Aoun and Mr Gemayel are potential candidates in this year's divisive presidential election and the race in the in the Metn mountains is expected to be close.
LEBANESE BY-ELECTIONS Metn: Bitterly opposed rivals in a Christian heartland are fighting to replace MP Pierre Gemayel (above right), shot dead in November West Beirut: Ruling coalition candidate is expected to have easy win in a mainly Sunni area where MP Walid Eido (left) was killed by a bomb in JunePolls close at 1800 (1500 GMT) Polls raise stakes
Thousands of people turned out to vote in the mountains, north-east of Beirut, with queues of people already forming outside more than 300 polling stations when they opened at 0700 (0400 GMT).
Security is tight across the region, particularly outside the headquarters of the two Christian parties which stand just 500 metres (yards) apart and are separated by hundreds of Lebanese soldiers.Security is tight across the region, particularly outside the headquarters of the two Christian parties which stand just 500 metres (yards) apart and are separated by hundreds of Lebanese soldiers.
Voting queues
Thousands of people turned out to vote in the mountains, north-east of Beirut, with queues of people already forming outside more than 300 polling stations when they opened at 0700 (0400 GMT).
LEBANESE BY-ELECTIONS Metn: Bitterly opposed rivals in a Christian heartland are fighting to replace MP Pierre Gemayel (above right), shot dead in November West Beirut: Ruling coalition candidate is expected to have easy win in a mainly Sunni area where MP Walid Eido (left) was killed by a bomb in JunePolls close at 1800 (1500 GMT) Polls raise stakes
Amin Gemayel said on Sunday he was standing on behalf of everyone who had died for Lebanon, including his son.
Alexander Dagher, a voter in Metn, told the BBC that he had turned out to prevent the late Pierre Gemayel being "killed again".
"The place was for Pierre Gemayel and I came here to put my voice against all the people who are trying to kill him one more time," he said.
"So he was killed one time, we don't want to kill him two times."
As Aoun supporters drove in convoys, beeping their horns and displaying their movement's orange flags, voter Fadi Nasr told AFP news agency why he was backing the rival FPM:
"We are proud of our alliance with Hezbollah because it has made our lives easier in terms of living together in peace, Christians and Muslims."
Divisions widenDivisions widen
Under Lebanon's sectarian political system, the president is a Maronite Christian, the prime minister a Sunni Muslim and the speaker a Shia Muslim. Parliament elects the president.Under Lebanon's sectarian political system, the president is a Maronite Christian, the prime minister a Sunni Muslim and the speaker a Shia Muslim. Parliament elects the president.
The by-elections threaten to deepen Lebanon's political divisions, correspondents say.The by-elections threaten to deepen Lebanon's political divisions, correspondents say.
They do not have the required approval of President Emile Lahoud, who is allied with the Hezbollah-led opposition, as is parliamentary speaker Nabih Berri.They do not have the required approval of President Emile Lahoud, who is allied with the Hezbollah-led opposition, as is parliamentary speaker Nabih Berri.
Mr Berri has said he will not recognise the results.Mr Berri has said he will not recognise the results.
Mohammed al-Amin Itani from the ruling coalition is expected to win easily in the vote to replace Walid Eido in mainly Sunni West Beirut.Mohammed al-Amin Itani from the ruling coalition is expected to win easily in the vote to replace Walid Eido in mainly Sunni West Beirut.
Opening salvoOpening salvo
Mr Gemayel and his allies accuse Syria of orchestrating the shooting of Pierre Gemayel last November and other anti-Syrian figures including Mr Eido, who was killed by a car bomb in June.Mr Gemayel and his allies accuse Syria of orchestrating the shooting of Pierre Gemayel last November and other anti-Syrian figures including Mr Eido, who was killed by a car bomb in June.
Mr Aoun's FPM won a vast majority of the Christian vote in 2005 parliamentary polls, but his support slipped when he allied himself to the pro-Syria Shia Muslim movement Hezbollah.Mr Aoun's FPM won a vast majority of the Christian vote in 2005 parliamentary polls, but his support slipped when he allied himself to the pro-Syria Shia Muslim movement Hezbollah.
The by-elections represent the opening salvos in a campaign for parliament to elect a successor to pro-Syrian President Lahoud, whose term ends later this year.The by-elections represent the opening salvos in a campaign for parliament to elect a successor to pro-Syrian President Lahoud, whose term ends later this year.
The anti-Syrian camp has the simple majority in parliament to elect its own president, but it needs the co-operation of the pro-Syrian opposition to reach a two-thirds quorum.The anti-Syrian camp has the simple majority in parliament to elect its own president, but it needs the co-operation of the pro-Syrian opposition to reach a two-thirds quorum.
Hezbollah and other opposition groups quit a unity cabinet last year and have been boycotting parliament in a campaign to demand a cabinet veto, after anti-Syrian factions won power in 2005 following years of political and military control by powerful neighbour Syria.Hezbollah and other opposition groups quit a unity cabinet last year and have been boycotting parliament in a campaign to demand a cabinet veto, after anti-Syrian factions won power in 2005 following years of political and military control by powerful neighbour Syria.