Hezbollah seeks to oust pro-Western govt. in Lebanon election

The Iran-backed Islamist group Hezbollah is seeking to defeat the pro-Western government in Sunday's closely contested election in Lebanon. The U.S.-backed 14 March alliance, which came to power four years ago after the assassination of former premier Rafik Hariri, has a small majority in parliament, and has struggled to control the country amid an ongoing power struggle with Hezbollah.

Hezbollah, which controls a powerful guerilla army, has pledged to bring Christian and pro-Western elements into its governing coalition if it wins the election, at which three million people are eligible to vote. However, Israel has voiced concern over the possibility of a Hezbollah-led government.

"If Hezbollah wins the election, it will be very bad and will create another Iranian entity in the Middle East after Hamas," Finance Minister Yuval Steinitz told reporters. Polling stations opened at 04:00 GMT, and will close at 16:00 GMT.

Former U.S. president Jimmy Carter, leading a team of international observers, urged backers of the two parties, in Lebanon and abroad, to accept the outcome. "I don't have any concerns over the conduct of the elections. I have concerns over the acceptance of the results by all the major parties," he said.

Russia has pledged to work with any government that is formed in Lebanon.