Lebanese parliament re-elects Shi'ite Berri as speaker

Nabih Berri, speaks after he was re-elected Lebanon's parliamentary speaker, as Lebanon's newly elected parliament convenes for the first time to elect a speaker and deputy speaker in Beirut, Lebanon May 23, 2018. Lebanese Parliament/Handout via REUTERS

BEIRUT (Reuters) - Shi'ite politician Nabih Berri, a close ally of the Iran-backed Hezbollah group, was re-elected for a sixth term as speaker of Lebanon's parliament in an uncontested vote on Wednesday.

Another Hezbollah ally, Elie Ferzli, was elected deputy speaker, reflecting a shift in Lebanon's political landscape in favour of the heavily armed Shi'ite Muslim group.