Beirut, Lebanon ? The son of assassinated former premier Rafik Hariri swept Beirut legislative elections, officials said Monday, in a solid rejection of Syrian influence that marked a turning point in Lebanese politics.

Saad Hariri, a 35-year-old political novice who took over his father’s mantle only in April, headed a ticket that won all 19 parliament seats up for grabs in the capital Sunday in the first election since Syria ended its nearly three-decade military domination of Lebanon in April.

Political pundits expect Hariri’s Future Movement to win the biggest bloc in the next parliament as elections continue over the next three weeks, a stature that could propel him to the premiership. Hariri said Monday he would decide whether to seek the job after the elections.

The voting in Beirut will be followed by elections the next three Sundays in other regions that are widely expected to propel anti-Syrian politicians to power in the 128-seat parliament.

But the other three regions will be far more challenging for Hariri loyalists. They will face entrenched pro-Syrian politicians who are forming alliances with other groups, including former opposition members who have split with Hariri.

“National unity and co-existence triumphed against the symbols of the old authorities,” Hariri said Monday after the Beirut results were announced. “It is a victory for Rafik Hariri. The outcome is a victory for democracy against those who tried to usurp it.”

Official results showed Hariri swept all 19 seats in Beirut as his father did five years ago.

Lingering anger about the assassination of Rafik Hariri was the driving force in the election.

His killing in February triggered mass protests at home and anger from governments abroad that ultimately drove out the Syrian army that dominated Lebanon for 29 years. The opposition blamed Syria and its Lebanese government allies for the killing, charges they both denied.

Rafik Hariri served 10 of the last 15 years as prime minister.