Additional army and police forces have been deployed in Mount Lebanon towns and outside polling stations to ensure security for the vote.

The election is seen as a test for coexistence in a nation where sectarian resentment continues 20 years after the end of a 1975-1990 civil war.

However, voting was expected to be peaceful as electoral alliances among rival politicians have produced consensual lists in most towns and villages.

It also comes in the context of improved relations between Prime Minister Saad Hariri's Western-backed coalition and the Hezbollah movement and its allies since the two sides joined a fragile national unity government formed in November.

Only few areas were bracing for closely fought electoral contests, mainly between rival Christian parties.

There are 795,372 registered voters in Mount Lebanon, the nation's most populous province. They will choose 313 municipal councils from among 9,559 candidates and 921 village headmen from among 1,377 candidates.

The candidates' lists were formulated to respect the delicate Christian-Muslim power-sharing agreement that ended the civil war, with Christians vying for Christian seats and Muslims competing for the slots set aside for members of their community.

Lebanon's 4 million population is roughly divided in thirds between Christians, Sunni Muslims and Shiite Muslims, with smaller sects mixed in.

Interior Minister Ziad Baroud said 57 of the 313 Mount Lebanon municipalities have been won uncontested.

Municipal elections in Lebanon are held every six years.

The three remaining stages of voting will be held this month.