Allies of Syria claimed victory yesterday in the latest round of Lebanon's parliamentary elections - the first since international pressure and street protests forced Syrian troops to leave the country. In contrast to the first round on May 29, when an anti-Syrian alliance won all 19 seats in Beirut, yesterday's voting in southern Lebanon appeared to deliver all or almost all of the 23 seats to a joint ticket run by the Shia parties, Amal and Hizbullah. The official results are due today.

"It has become clear that all members of the Resistance, Liberation and Development Ticket have won [in the two southern regions]," Hizbullah's deputy leader, Sheikh Naim Kassem, said last night. "The south has declared through this vote its clear stance in supporting this track." Voting for the rest of the 128-seat parliament will be spread over the next two Sundays.

While candidates in the capital coasted to victory last week on a wave of sympathy for Rafik al-Hariri, the former prime minister whose assassination in February has been widely blamed on Syria, Shia leaders characterised yesterday's voting in the south as a show of defiance against US and Israeli pressures.

"The south's choice is the resistance choice," said Hassan Fadlallah, a Hizbullah candidate. "The Hizbullah-Amal candidates are waging the south elections under the motto of rejecting resolution 1559 and defending the [anti-Israel] resistance."

UN security council resolution 1559, approved last year, called for the withdrawal of Syrian troops, but also for the disarming of Hizbullah.

Hizbullah, backed by Syria and Iran and classified by the US as a terrorist group, played a key role in driving Israeli forces out of southern Lebanon five years ago. Its militia, regarded by many Lebanese as part of the country's defence, has so far refused to give up its weapons.

This is one of many issues the new parliament will have to address, and a strong electoral showing will have strengthened Hizbullah's hand. Another issue is the fate of Lebanon's Syrian-backed president, Emile Lahoud, whose term in office was extended under Syrian pressure.

Demands for his removal intensified after the assassination on Thursday of Samir Qaseer, a journalist noted for his criticisms of Syria. Opposition politicians have blamed the Syrian-Lebanese intelligence apparatus which is largely controlled by the president. Syria and Mr Lahoud have condemned the killing.

The continuing controversy over Syria's role in Lebanon threatens to overshadow the opening of a ruling Ba'ath party conference in Damascus today which President Bashar al-Assad has heralded as a "great leap" towards reform.

Among topics to be discussed are licensing human rights organisations and relaxing media controls. But diplomats have cautioned against expecting dramatic change.