Vicky Jammal AGE: 38 ORIGIN: Fanar RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION: Maronite Christian OCCUPATION: Graphic designer and director of the Music Together school in Beirut

"The economy is the most important issue. We need leaders who are well-educated and understand economic matters. Our only way out is economic growth.

"We need to break away from voting for people simply because they are the son of this or that politician. I don't care if they are Christian or Muslim. We need a neutral leader who cares about Lebanon, not just his sect. Candidates should be elected on merit alone.

"I think the Christains need be more aware of the needs of the country rather than their own needs. The Christians need to be more devoted [to the nation] and organized.

"My husband is from Sidon [in southern Lebanon] and that means we have to travel to Sidon to vote because that's where he is registered. Even though we live in Fanar in eastern Beirut we can only vote in Sidon. I would prefer to vote in Fanar because we care about the area we live in. What can we do?"

Marie Haddad AGE: 53 ORIGIN: Ain Dara RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION: Greek Orthodox OCCUPATION: Nurse

"I would like to change everything in the country, make it all new. Maybe General [Michel] Aoun can do something to help us. The last 15 years have been very difficult for the Lebanese. I am looking for a new life. The economy is very weak and must be improved so that there is work for everybody. I hope things will get better.

"I don't trust politicians in Lebanon. We can't believe everything they tell us.

"I am very happy the Syrians are out. We suffered for many years. We felt the presence of the Syrians very much in Ain Dara. They stayed in the village from the beginning [in 1976] and they did lot of damage. Ain Dara used to be known for its greenery and trees. But the Syrians destroyed it all and they damaged many houses. Most people in Ain Dara just want to live normally. I think we should have normal relations with Syria. And we want the Syrian workers to come back as well. They all left with the soldiers and now we don't have anyone to do the work in Ain Dara."

Shahir Idriss AGE: 37 ORIGIN: Khiam RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION: Shiite Muslim OCCUPATION: Journalist

"This election will bring no change at all because it is the warlords that are trying to make peace. The mentality of Lebanese politics has to change. They have to pay more attention to the demands of the people and be more consistent in their views, not changing their mind every five minutes.

"If the older generation of politicians can step aside and allow some new blood in, then Lebanon will improve.

"There has been no change because the people that were supported by Syria are still in power and will still be there after the elections. They will remain powerful and will represent Syria's interests in Lebanon.

"I think there is only a fifty-fifty chance of Lebanon improving in the next period.

"The real change in politics will happen if they come up with a new electoral law that is truly representative and opens the way for newcomers.

"I don't believe it is the right time for Hizbullah to lay down its arms. We need some time. The issue of Hizbullah's weapons is bigger than Lebanon because it involves the conflict between the Arabs and the Israelis.

"I do believe we should have good relations with the Syrians. We're economically dependent on each other and, more important, our two peoples are close to each other."

Kamel Wazne AGE: 38 ORIGIN: Qana RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION: Shiite OCCUPATION: Professor, lecturing in international business and finance

"My main concern is the economic situation in Lebanon. Many politicians are shy about talking about the economy. They are not addressing it. Lebanon faces a huge burden with a $40 billion debt and huge numbers of young leaving the country because of the lack of employment opportunities.

"We might see some new faces appearing in parliament but I don't think we are going to see many changes overall in the way they politicians conduct business. It will be more of the same with each one fighting for his or her share. Many of these politicians have benefited from Lebanon's economic problems. The street has one voice and one concern, but the politicians have a different agenda and the people are lost in the process.

"We in south Lebanon support the Resistance [Hizbullah's military wing] because they drove the Israelis out of Lebanon and I do believe that the Resistance needs to be protected from international pressure. Lebanon has to come together to discuss the issue [of Hizbullah's disarmament] thoroughly and away from foreign interference."

Ihab Saab AGE: 22 ORIGIN: Rachaiya RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION: Druze OCCUPATION: Student

"The elections are not important for me. It's all about the politicians looking after their own interests and benefits. None of them are working for the good of the country, only themselves.

"I will vote but I am going to hand in a white paper [blank ballot paper] as a protest against the way the elections are held. There is no point in voting for someone. He won't do anything for me. Most of my friends say they will vote, but it's not because they support particular people. They are just following who their parents vote for.

"My parents will vote, but I don't follow them in everything.

"Other than the state of the economy, the thing that concerns me most is sectarianism. It's been increasing since the Syrians left, particularly during the run-up to the elections. Sectarianism is worrying."

Mohammed Al-Arab AGE: 25 ORIGIN: Tripoli RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION: Sunni Muslim OCCUPATION: University administrator

"Nothing has changed. It's not like there is a new phase about to begin. After Rafik Hariri's murder and the withdrawal of the Syrians, nothing has really changed. The electoral candidates are not competing with each other. The north and the south should be the main battlegrounds between the opposition and the loyalists. But many of the candidates are withdrawing when they are confronted by the Future Tide movement [the Hariri political bloc]. It's like February 14 [the day Rafik Hariri died] is hanging over the heads of the candidates. People are more emotional. No one wants to run against the Hariris.

"The spirit of war is back again because people are divided. There is an atmosphere of trouble. The Christians are stridently flouting their Christianity. The Muslims have all sided with Hariri and the Druze are unbending.

"The Christians are not happy, the Muslims are not happy. God help the next Parliament."