HELSINKI – The conservative favorite easily won the first round of Finland’s presidential election Sunday, setting up a runoff against an environmentalist leader who is the first openly gay candidate to run for head of state in the Nordic country.

Sauli Niinisto, a former finance minister, won 37 percent of the vote, well ahead of the other candidates but short of the majority needed to avoid a second round.

With all votes counted, Pekka Haavisto, of the Greens Party, was second with 18.8 percent, securing his place in the Feb. 5 runoff.

The result means Finns will have two pro-European candidates in the second round.

Libya suspends Benghazi members

BENGHAZI, Libya – The head of Libya’s transitional government on Sunday suspended delegates from Benghazi, the city that kicked off the movement that toppled Moammar Gadhafi last year.

The move follows protests in Benghazi accusing the body of corruption and not moving fast enough on reform.

The announcement came the day after protesters stormed the National Transitional Council offices in Benghazi and carted off computers, chairs and desks while Mustafa Abdul-Jalil, head of the NTC, was holed up inside.

Abdul-Jalil said the six representatives can continue to serve only if approved by the local city council.