Iran Congratulates Lebanon, Hezbollah on Parliamentary Election Results

TEHRAN (FNA)- The Iranian foreign ministry spokesman described the successful election as a victory for the whole Lebanese nation from all ethnic groups and political currents.

"The Islamic Republic of Iran maintains that holding a peaceful election at the current situation of the region is a big accomplishment for the democratic process serving all people of Lebanon,” Qassemi said.

The Iranian foreign ministry spokesman described the successful election in Lebanon as a victory and big accomplishment for democratic process in Lebanon.

Meantime, Iranian Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani congratulated the victory of the Lebanese Hezbollah Resistance Movement in the country's parliamentary elections to Hezbollah Secretary General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah.

Lebanon's first parliamentary vote in nine years was held on Sunday, with over 500 candidates vying for seats. Turnout was 49.2 percent, according to officials.

Unofficial results from Lebanon’s parliamentary elections show that the Hezbollah resistance movement and its political allies secured over half the seats.

Hezbollah as well as groups and individuals affiliated to it have won at least 67 seats in Lebanon’s parliament, according to the results cited by politicians and campaigns and reported in Lebanese media.

Hezbollah's allies include the Amal Movement led by Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri and the Christian Free Patriotic Movement founded by President Michel Aoun.

The parliamentary seats are split evenly - 64 for Christians and 64 for Muslims, including Druze, with the two halves further divided among 11 religious groups.

Lebanese Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri said earlier on Monday that his party had lost a third of seats in the parliamentary elections, winning only 21 seats, down from the 33 it had been holding since the last time Lebanon elected a parliament in 2009.

In a televised statement, Hariri said despite gains in Sidon, Tripoli, Beirut and Western Bekaa Valley, the Future Movement had only won 21 out of 128 parliamentary seats.

message end/