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DAP welcomes today the victory in the parliamentary elections of the political alliance at the centre of the agenda for democracy, independence and political change in Lebanon Media Statement by Ronnie Liu Tian Khiew (Petaling Jaya, Tuesday): DAP welcomes today the victory in the parliamentary elections of the political alliance at the centre of the agenda for democracy, independence and political change in Lebanon. DAP also extends its heartiest congratulations to fellow SI-member Progressive Democratic Party for its performance. According to an official report issued by the Socialist International, its representatives have witnessed an election in which there were no significant incidents and which was, in their view, characterized by citizen and voter participation and enthusiasm, in an atmosphere of respect and tolerance. The elections were held after the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafic Hariri. Hariri has been at the helm of five governments in Lebanon since 1992. For over a decade, Prime Minister Rafic Hariri has presided over the physical and economic reconstruction of a Lebanon torn by war. The assassination of Hariri sparked off mass demonstrations participated by thousands of Lebanese, calling for investigations and at the same time pressing for democratic change and reforms for Lebanon. Rafic Hariri was assassinated in an explosion that targeted at his motorcade on a Beirut waterfront road, killing the late Lebanese leader, seven of his bodyguards and bystanders, Hariri had just left the Parliament when the attack took place. The Socialist International representatives highlighted the civic conduct of the Lebanese people both during the mass demonstrations which succeeded in bringing about peaceful democratic change in Lebanon, and during the month-long electoral process. MP-elect Saad Hariri, son of Rafic Hariri, pledged change in Lebanon following parliamentary elections that ended on 19 June 2005 and said electoral results amounted to a victory for national conciliation, unity and the Taif peace accord. Saad Hariri extended a hand of cooperation to all parties to advance Lebanon's national interests and highlighted the need to pursue assassinated Prime Minister Rafic Hariri's socio-economic reform program and his drive to eliminate corruption. The MP-elect, who leads a large bloc in the new Parliament, paid tribute to Lebanese voters for preserving the democratic system, and praise the Interior Ministry and the government for its neutral stance, in addition to the Defence Ministry and armed forces for the orderly and secure vote. DAP welcomes the outcome of the elections and the clear majority won by the Alliance, which includes Progressive Socialist Party (DAP's fellow member in the Socialist International fraternity), the Future Movement and others, as a new beginning for Lebanon. (21/6/2005)   * Liu Tian Khiew, DAP International Secretary and NGO bureau chief