Polls close in Lebanon's general election

BEIRUT

Voting has ended in Lebanon's first parliamentary general election in nine years, according to local media reports Sunday.

Polling stations opened at 7 a.m. (0400 GMT) and closed at 7 p.m. (1600 GMT).

A total of 917 candidates from several political parties are contesting for 128 seats, 64 for Muslims and 64 for Christians, in the national assembly.

The voting was held under a new proportional system, which divides the country into 15 separate electoral constituencies.

Official results of the polls are expected to be announced on Monday by Interior Minister Nouhad Machnouk, according to the local media.

Reporting by Afra Aksoy; Writing by Burcu Arik