An opposition candidate defeated a former president backed by the government to win a parliamentary seat, official results of Lebanese elections showed today.

SYRIA’S staunchest allies Hizbollah and Amal headed for a clean sweep in south Lebanon’s polls yesterday in the first general election since Syrian troops quit their smaller neighbour.

SYRIAN president Bashar Assad made moves to assuage protesters in Beirut and western governments yesterday and said he will “soon” take steps to withdraw his army from Lebanese areas.