Suleiman Franjieh admits defeat in north Lebanon

On the other rivalry side of the Lebanese elections, Suleiman Franjieh on Sunday evening admitted that his list was defeated. He said "even if we loose, we are the real representatives for the Christian areas in north Lebanon." He added that if he wins alone the election in his list he will submit his resignation to the parliament.

He considered that the candidates of the Hariri alliance were elected by the votes of Tripoli city and they do not represent the Christians. He said "they might be parliamentarians but will not be leaders." For his part, the elected parliamentarian Michael Aoun ruled out any coalition between him and the alliance of Saad al-Hariri at the new parliament. He said "there is a problem of confidence between me and them, between the Lebanese people and them. There are fundamental differences over values."

Aoun accused his opponents of using illegal instruments like "buying votes " during the election campaign in north Lebanon.

Preliminary official estimates reported that the rate of participation in the last round of the elections in the governorate of the north reached 49% against 40% in the elections of 2000.

Final official results are expected to be announced today, the same time the European observers who follow the elections since May 29 until June 19 will announce their position and views concerning these elections.