Lebanese expats vote in parliamentary elections

SAO PAULO – Lebanese expatriates began voting Sunday in the first parliamentary elections held by the tiny Arab country in nine years.

The current legislature has extended its term several times, citing security threats linked to the war in neighboring Syria. Lebanon's political system distributes power among the country's different religious communities, and the main parties are led by political dynasties that fought one another during the 1975-1990 civil war.

Sunday's vote in 33 countries comes two days after thousands of Lebanese voted in six Arab countries.