Yet pro-democracy reformists say the changes have not brought the freedom and justice for which many had hoped.

VOA: special.2009.02.07

However it was the Communists' subsequent failure to secure election of their presidential candidate that prompted a new election in July which brought the pro-western coalition to power.

VOA: standard.2009.08.29

But U.S.officials have lately credited Syria with tightening border controls with Iraq and largely refraining from interference in Lebanon's election process, which culminated in this week's victory by the pro-Western "March 14th" coalition.

VOA: standard.2009.06.09