Opposition says candidate wins Lebanon by-election

BEIRUT, Aug 5 (Reuters) A Christian opposition candidate won a key by-election to Lebanon's parliament today, an opposition leader said, dealing a body blow to the country's Western-backed ruling coalition.

Christian opposition leader Michel Aoun said his candidate closely beat his opponent Amin Gemayel, a former president and a key member of the anti-Syrian ruling coalition, in a by-election in the Metn district northeast of Beirut.

There was no official confirmation but opposition sources said Khoury had won by a margin of some 500 votes from around 75,000 cast.

REUTERS RS RAI0001