Son of Rafik Hariri wins seats in Lebanon's first round of elections

Saad Hariri, son of former Lebanese prime minister Rafik Hariri, who was assassinated in February this year, is claiming a landslide victory in the first round of elections that took place in Beirut Sunday. These are the first elections to be held without any outside force present in the country for over two decades. Fireworks could be seen in the sky over the Lebanese capital as voting came to a close.Speaking to the press after the elections Saad said, "The elections are a chance at democracy and to carry on the work of my father." Saad leads the opposition and is claiming that they have won 19 seats during the first round of elections. The opposition leader had secured 9 seats before voting even began, but now say that they have secured a further 10 seats. Although voter turn out was low at 30% by the first polls that are in, the European Union team of election regulators said that the election was "free and fair". The second eldest son of the former prime minister had been working as a businessman in Saudi at the time of his father's death. Although he is new to politics, many believe that he will be the next prime minister. Saad Hariri has many candidates running alongside him from his father's candidacy. The next round of voting will take place on June 5.Â