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Obama Effect Drove Lebanon Allies to Victory

Hezbollah defeat bodes well for Iranian election this Friday

By Jason Farago, Newser Staff

Posted Jun 9, 2009 7:18 AM CDT

(Newser) – Voters in Lebanon had many reasons for backing American allies over a Hezbollah-led coalition in Sunday's bellwether elections, but political analysts say that Barack Obama's efforts to reach out to the Muslim world played a significant role in the outcome. For the first time in years, being linked to Washington was seen as a benefit rather than a hindrance. As Michael Slackman of the New York Times writes, the Lebanon vote may foreshadow another key election: the Iranian presidential vote this Friday.

The Obama administration is talking to Iran and Syria, which back Hezbollah, making it harder for the party to demonize the US. And while many internal factors in Lebanon's sectarian political system shaped the election's outcome, the White House—and particularly Joe Biden, who visited Beirut in the last days of the race—may have been decisive. "Evidently the majority of the Lebanese have resolved their minds," said one professor. "They don’t want confrontation, they want peace."

[Images (6)]

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Lebanese girls with pictures on their T-shirts of pro-Western elected candidate Nadim Gemayel celebrate their victory in Beirut's Christian sector of Ashrafieh, Monday, June 8, 2009. (AP Photo/Nasser Nasser)

Lebanese leader of the pro-Western coalition Saad Hariri, left, hugs Transportation Minister and candidate Ghazi Aridi in Beirut, Lebanon, early Monday, June 8, 2009. (AP Photo/Dalati Nohra, HO)

Lebanese Christians pro-Western supporters celebrate after the polling stations closed in Beirut's Christian sector of Ashrafieh, Lebanon, Sunday, June 7, 2009. (AP Photo/Grace Kassab)

Supporters of Michel Aoun flash the party's sign and display a picture of lawmaker Ibrahim Kenaan as they celebrate shortly after polling stations closed east of Beirut, Lebanon, Sunday, June 7, 2009. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein)

Lebanese PM Fuad Saniora, left, holds up the hand of Education Minister Bahia Hariri as they celebrate their win during a rally in the southern port city of Sidon, Monday, June 8, 2009. (AP Photo/Mohammed Zaatari)

Lebanon's Western-backed coalition defeated Hezbollah and its allies, dealing a stunning setback to the Iranian-backed militants. (AP Photo/Mohammed Zaatari)

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Lebanon is a telling case. It is no longer relevant for the extremists to use the anti-American card. It does look like the US is moving on to something new. - Osama Safa, director,
Lebanese Center for Policy Studies

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Obama Effect Drove Lebanon Allies to Victory