Lebanon's Roger Feghali and co-driver Nabil Njeim were the overall leaders of the 28th Rally of Lebanon, the fifth round of the 2004 FIA Middle East Rally Championship, after the opening four special stages to the north of Beirut yesterday.

The Feghali brothers, Roger and Abdo, had been embroiled in an epic family battle over the early stages, with Roger getting the better of his brother as the rally headed into the hills to the north of Beirut.

After four timed stages the pair were closely matched, with Roger edging into an 18.5 second advantage after the first loop, courtesy of a stunning time in the fourth Sourat stage.

The pair were well clear of third-placed Doumit Bou Doumit's Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution 6, Jean-Pierre Nasrallah's fourth-placed Evolution 8 and Ziad Feghali in fifth.

UAE's Sheikh Khalid Al Qassimi and Ulster co-driver Michael Orr held 12th position after four stages at the wheel of the Power Horse World Rally Team Subaru Impreza WRX STi.

Fresh from an impressive showing in last weekend's Rally of Turkey, Al Qassimi suffered major setbacks even before the start.

He was hospitalised during the recce after complaining of severe stomach pains which was diagnosed as a kidney stone. While he was fortunate even to make the start Orr suffered a severe throat infection.

"I have been in considerable discomfort for three days," admitted regional championship leader Al-Qassimi.

"I have been on medication to dissolve the stone and ease the pain. It wasn't the best way to start the rally. But I have found a pace which keeps me in touch with the leaders and in striking distance.

"The Lebanese drivers know these stages so well. There is no way that the Gulf drivers are going to be able to challenge them at this stage. I have to play the waiting game and ensure that I look after the points situation."

Today's final leg offers eight special stages to the north and east of Beirut.

Results

Positions after 4 of 19 stages:
1. Roger Feghali (RL)/ Nabil Njeim (RL) Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution 8hr 29m 09.2s
2. Abdo Feghali (RL)/ Marc Haddad (RL) Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution 7: 29: 27.8s
3. Doumit Bou Doumit (RL)/ Ziad Maalouf (RL) Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution 6:29:52.7s
4. Jean-Pierre Nasrallah (RL)/ Joseph Mattar (RL) Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution 8:30:00.1s
5. Ziad Feghali (RL)/ J. El Hachem (RL) Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution 6:30: 16.3s
6. Nasser Saleh Al-Attiyah (QA)/ Chris Patterson (GB) Subaru Impreza WRX STi 8:30:33.0s
12. Sheikh Khalid Al-Qassimi (UAE)/ Michael Orr (GB) Subaru Impreza WRX STi 8:31.34.0s