Lebanese Interior Minister Marwan Charbel praised the municipal by-elections that took place on Sunday as “calm and democratic”.

Lebanese Interior Minister Marwan Charbel praised the municipal by-elections that took place on Sunday as “calm and democratic”.

The elections “were calm and democratic due to the wisdom and the awareness of the citizens who were mindful of the importance of calming spirits down at a time when Lebanon is going through a difficult phase”, Charbel was quoted as saying in an interview with Voice of Lebanon (93.3) radio station.

The Minister also voiced hope that the calm conditions “would persist until the 2013 parliamentary elections.”
Municipal by-elections in 40 Lebanese towns Kicked off on Sunday in order to elect 37 municipal councils.

Media outlets reported on Monday that the turnout of the poll reached 70 percent.