Municipal election: Voter turnout in Sidon reached 50%

Voice of Lebanon Radio station reported at 6 pm that voter turnout in Sidon has exceeded 50 percent.

Former PM and Sidon PM Fouad Siniora called on Sidon’s voters to “massively” head toward polling stations, and urged them to ignore the the intimidation attempts, saying victory in Sidon is just around the corner. (more…)

Baroud: Security forces are ready to tackle any situation in Sidon

Interior Minister Ziad Baroud played down election tension in Sidon and said security forces are ready to tackle any situation.

Earlier in the day, media reported a clash between Popular Nasserite Movement leader Osama Saad’s bodyguard and an Internal Security Forces member at a Saida polling station.

At a press conference Sunday, Baroud said that it was a small confrontation and it had been contained.

The interior minister said elections could be stopped as a last resort, but said he was hopeful that would not happen because the Lebanese army and security forces are capable of maintaining stability. (more…)