Thousands vote in Lebanon

Aug 5 - Lebanese took to the polling stations to determine the successors of two anti-Syrian politicians that were assassinated.

The by-election to fill the Maronite Christian seat left empty after Pierre Gemayel, who was killed in November, has shaped up as a test of strength between the two camps weeks before parliament is due to elect a Maronite as Lebanon's president.

A pro-government Sunni Muslim candidate is expected to stroll to victory in another by-election in a Beirut district.

Reuters reporter Ayat Basma reports from the scene.