Parliamentary elections in Lebanon Sunday 7 June reinforced the government’s position and handed the pro-Western 14-March coalition 71 seats. Their opponents, a coalition led by Hezbollah, backed by Syria and Iran, won 57 seats. A big loser in the vote was former General Michel Aoun, a Christian who had aligned himself with Hezbollah. He has stated that he will work with the majority.

Some saw President Obama’s conciliatory speech in Cairo, Egypt last week as an important factor in voters’ decisions, denying hardliners the possibility to demonize the United States, according to the New York Times.  NYT, Le Monde, Now Lebanon

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