Success for moderate alliance in Libya poll results

Final results in Libya’s landmark election have confirmed significant gains for a coalition seen as moderate.

But it is not yet clear who will dominate the new assembly as all sides still need to win the support of dozens of independent candidates.

Following last week’s partial results, the election commission put Mahmoud Jibril’s National Forces Alliance ahead with 39 seats out of 80 reserved for political parties. The Islamist Muslim Brotherhood’s party took 17. There are 200 seats in all and the rest are shared by independents.

It is thought the Islamist vote may have suffered because of events in other Arab Spring countries.

In the eastern city of Benghazi, prominent in the revolt against Muammar Gaddafi, many welcomed the result.

“It’s very important for the future of the country, and I think the people of Libya are so hopeful that the results of this election will make a country with a good democracy, and good leaders to lead this country,” said Mohammad Zarug, a 33-year-old architect.

Libyans now wait to see where the independents’ allegiances lie after the country’s first free parliamentary election in 60 years. Local connections are expected to play an important role.

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