Lebanon's Speaker Nabih Berri urges support for government

Lebanon's Parliament Speaker and head of the Amal movement Nabih Berri has called on Lebanese protesters to demand "civil state and relative electoral law."

Addressing a religious event, Berri stressed on "adherence to an active government to respond to their just demands."

He warned of “freezing services” in Lebanon and continuous failure to elect a new president.

Commenting on the Syrian crisis, Berri said that Syria “pays the price of all terrorism worldwide.”

He called for adopting a political dialogue to end the Syrian crisis and wipe out terrorism.

Hundreds of supporters waving Amal flags celebrated outside Berri's villa as results began to trickle out. Others drove through villages and towns, honking their horns and flying the two parties' yellow and green flags.

Fireworks exploded above central Beirut as the celebrations spilled over to the capital.

Hizbollah, which Washington labels a terrorist group, and the more moderate Amal are the dominant forces among the Shi'ites, Lebanon's largest sect.

Lebanon's first general elections since Syrian troops quit their smaller neighbor are being held region by region over four weekends until June 19.

In the south, the Amal-Hizbollah list won six seats before a single vote was cast, due to the lack of challengers.

Interior Ministry sources said turnout among the 675,000 eligible voters was 45 percent.
Source: MENA