A Lebanese man, supporter of slain Prime Minister Rafik al-Hariri, casts his vote in Tripoli, northern Lebanon June 19, 2005 (REUTERS)
BEIRUT,AP-Opposition leader Saad Hariri claimed victory Monday in northern Lebanon”s elections, saying the anti-Syrian camp has captured control of parliament, breaking Syria”s long hold over the country.
"The north has decided the character of the new parliament and given the absolute majority to the opposition," Hariri said at a news conference.
Unofficial results showed opposition candidates sweeping all seats in the final round of the four-stage elections. The announcement of official results by the Interior Ministry was delayed as the counting took longer than expected.
Newly-elected Lebanese MP Saad Hariri, son of late former PM Rafiq Hariri, salutes thousands of supporters in Menyeh province, near Tripoli in northern Lebanon, 18 June 2005 (AFP)
Lebanese supporters of slain former prime minister Rafik al-Hariri raise posters of him and his son Saad al-Hariri during a celebration in the streets of Tripoli in northern Lebanon June 19, 2005 (REUTERS)