Hizbullah claims to have won the majority in 60 percent of Shi’ite towns in south Lebanon in Sunday’s municipal elections, increasing its clout regionally and its potential for national influence, according to news reports.
The Iran-backed Shi’ite political and terror organization improved its showing by more than 5% since the last municipal election in the region in 1998, according to the Lebanese newspaper The Daily Star. Another Shi’ite party and terror organization Amal won the majority in 30% of municipalities whereas they held 45% until now, according to the same source.
Amal, however, claims to have won in more than 50% of municipalities, the daily reported.
However, results are not final, nor accurate, as certain municipalities did not vote after reaching a “consensus,” and both parties did not post candidates in all municipalities.
The French-language daily L’Orient Le Jour reported that Amal and Hizbullah are planning to collaborate at the national level, despite intense rivalry during the campaign.
Local reports imply that Hizbullah’s stronghold in the south is due to its success in defending the border with Israel since Israel withdrew from Lebanon in 2000. Hizbullah was also a big winner in the municipal elections for the eastern region earlier this month.
The legislative system in Lebanon is divided according to religion; the country’s stability is meant to be based on balanced representation between Christian and Muslim sects.
Lebanon’s municipal elections, which have taken place in three of four regions thus far, are thought to be a fairly accurate litmus test ahead of next year’s parliamentary elections.