Voting Suspended in Part of Lebanon
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BEIRUT — Lebanon’s Syrian-backed government Saturday suspended voting in a major Christian area north of Beirut after candidates withdrew their names from ballots in a bid to derail the first Lebanese general election in 20 years.
The minority Christians, who dismiss the election as a ploy by Syria to extend its influence over the country, closed down much of eastern Beirut and Mt. Lebanon on the second day of a three-day protest strike.
But Prime Minister Rashid Solh, a Sunni Muslim, said today’s vote in Beirut and Mt. Lebanon--phase two of a staggered ballot for a new National Assembly--would be fair and urged all Lebanese to take part.
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