BEIRUT — Shiite politician Nabih Berri won at least half the votes in Lebanon's parliament on Wednesday, securing his re-election as speaker for the sixth time since 1992.

The lawmakers took office after a parliamentary vote on May 6, the country's first since 2009.

Berri, 80, heads the Amal Movement and has been a close ally of the heavily armed Shiite Hezbollah since the end of the 1975-90 civil war.

Meanwhile, outgoing Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri said on Tuesday a decision had been taken to form a new government quickly, Lebanese news outlet Al-Jadeed reported him as saying.

"There is a decision to accelerate government formation, and I think the sanctions on Hezbollah could have a positive impact and speed up the birth of the new government," Al-Jadeed said.

Now President Michel Aoun, a Maronite Christian, will consult MPs on their choice for the post of prime minister, which is reserved for a Sunni.

Hariri is widely expected to be named premier again and faces tough negotiations to form a coalition government that will group all Lebanon's main parties, including Hezbollah.

Hariri lost more than a third of his seats, many of them to Hezbollah or Hezbollah-allied politicians. Hariri has blamed a new electoral system and shortcomings by his Future Movement for the losses. He has launched an internal shake-up of the party. — Agencies