BEIRUT — Lebanon's voters have handed a clear defeat to the Hezbollah-led March 8 alliance. In a smoothly run and peaceful election, the pro-Western March 14 alliance emerged with a clear majority of 71 seats, compared to 58 seats for its rivals. The results elicited a nearly audible sigh of relief from Arab capitals, as well as from leaders in Europe and North America.
The fear that the pro-Syrian and pro-Iranian March 8 alliance might secure a victory was palpable prior to the vote. Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad had eagerly and publicly anticipated such an outcome.
The March 14 Alliance's victory is good news for Lebanon and the region, ensuring good relations with Lebanon's Arab and Western friends, and constituting a quiet triumph for moderation and pragmatism over extremism and confrontation.