The first round of the Lebanese elections is over. But did anyone turn up? Official turnout figures are dismal, at just 28% - that's just over a quarter.

But it's not surprising, given that nine out of Beirut's 19 areas already cancelled their vote because all of Sa'ad's rivals pulled out after he struck deals with them.

Lebanon's democracy, it seems, is run by money - not military. And the Lebanese have let their voice be heard in the most powerful way possible - by rejecting the fig-leaf election.