Lebanese in more than 40 countries voted in a national election on Sunday, days after a similar vote was held in 10 nations.
Just under 200,000 Lebanese living overseas are eligible to participate in the vote for the 128-member legislature, the first since the 2019 financial collapse and port blast that killed more than 215 people and destroyed large parts of Beirut in August 2020.
Voters in Lebanon will cast their ballots on May 15.
Observers expect large numbers of expatriates to vote for candidates from a coalition of activists and independents who gained prominence during 2019 protests against the political elites that have held power for decades.
Lebanese Foreign Minister Abadallah Bou Habib said turnout in Dubai had hit 15% in just two hours, with the queue of voters outside the Lebanese consulate stretching for nearly a kilometer despite sweltering heat.
During Friday's vote, 59.45% of the registered 30,929 voters cast their ballots, according to Bou Habib.
Lebanon’s parliament is equally divided between Christians and Muslims. The new legislature will elect a new president after President Michel Aoun’s term ends in October.
