A grassroots campaign that aimed to take on Lebanon's paralyzed political system appeared to be heading for failure on Monday as entrenched parties declared victory in municipal elections in Beirut.

Authorities are expected to announce later today the official results for the elections held on Sunday in the capital and in two provinces in the Bekaa region.

Hizbullah deputy chief Sheikh Naim Qassem announced on Monday the triumph of two lists backed by his party in the municipal elections in the eastern Bekaa town of Baalbek and the border town of Britel.

“The Development and Loyalty list has completely won the municipal elections in Baalbek and Britel, not to mention some minimal breaches in six municipalities” said Qassem in a press conference.

Assistant Treasury Secretary for Terrorist Financing Daniel Glaser is expected to visit Beirut with a detailed file on the application of the U.S. law that targets the sources of funding of Hizbullah officials and institutions, al Joumhouria daily reported on Monday.

Banking, financial and political figures await the arrival of Glaser who is expected to land in Beirut in the few coming days.

Prime Minister Tammam Salam emphasized on Monday the need for parity and partnership in the municipal elections because it fortifies Beirut and the country as a whole, As Safir daily reported on Monday.

“There is a need to provide equal sharing and participation in the voting process in the municipal elections, because it provides the requirements for permanent national balance and strengthens Beirut and the nation as a whole,” he told the daily in an interview.

Interior Minister Nouhad al-Mashnouq announced Sunday that “the Lebanese proved that they deserve freedom and democracy," after polls closed in the first round of Lebanon's municipal and mayoral elections that were held Sunday in Beirut and the eastern Bekaa Valley -- the first vote of any kind in Lebanon since the last municipal polls in 2010.

The first round of Lebanon's municipal and mayoral elections was held Sunday in the capital Beirut, the eastern Bekaa Valley and Baalbek-al-Hermel, in the first vote of any kind in Lebanon since the last municipal polls in 2010.

According to early results, the Mustaqbal-backed "Beirutis List" appeared poised to win the municipal elections in the capital.

Progressive Socialist Party chief MP Walid Jumblat took to Twitter on Sunday to post a sarcastic comment after al-Mustaqbal movement leader ex-PM Saad Hariri mistakenly cast a municipal polls ballot in a ballot box for the mayoral elections.

Prime Minister Tammam Salam stressed on Sunday that Lebanon is facing a national moment embodied in the democratic municipal election process that will allow the people of Beirut to say their word and vote in favor of their city and country.

Salam's comments came after he cast his ballot at a polling station in Aicha Bakkar, he said: “I am biased to Beirut, to the people of Beirut and to my nation.”

Al-Mustaqbal movement chief MP Saad Hariri said on Sunday that the absence of Hizbullah candidates from the Beirutis List which he backs for the municipal elections is “an asset for the capital Beirut.”

After casting his ballot at a polling station in Verdun, Hariri answered a question on how he would explain the absence of Hizbullah candidates from the list that he backs, he said: “it is an asset for Beirut.”

The Lebanese army said on Friday that it took the needed security measures to help the smooth operation of the upcoming municipal elections in Beirut and Bekaa-al-Hermel, the Army Command Orientation Directorate said in a statement on Friday.

“On the occasion of holding the municipal and mayoral elections that are set to be held in Beirut and Bekaa on May 8, army units have deployed in these two governorates to ensure the safety of the electoral process, and enable the citizens to safely and democratically express their views at the ballot boxes,” said the statement.