(AP Photo)The Iran-backed Shi’ite group Hezbollah and its political allies looked set to win more than half the seats in Lebanon’s first parliamentary election in nine years, according to preliminary results cited by politicians and Lebanese media. Hezbollah’s powerful position in Lebanon reflects Iran’s regional ascendancy through Iraq and Syria all the way to Beirut. Hezbollah-backed Sunnis did well in the cities of Beirut, Tripoli and Sidon, strongholds of Hariri’s Future Movement, the unofficial results showed. Another face from that era, Abdul Rahim Mrad, will also make a comeback having won a Sunni seat, the unofficial results show. Enhanced Hezbollah sway over Lebanon will likely alarm the United States, which arms and trains the Lebanese army.

Source: Indian Express May 07, 2018 02:37 UTC