October 26, 2009 15:28 PM

Marshall Islands Parliament Elects New President

WELLINGTON, Oct 26 (Bernama) -- The Marshall Islands parliament on Monday elected the speaker, Jurelang Zedkaia, as the Pacific island country's fifth president, China's Xinhua news agency said.

The vote for Zedkaia was 17-15, giving him the bare one-vote minimum needed to win the presidency in the 33-seat parliament, Xinhua quoted Radio New Zealand International's report Monday.

Zedkaia defeated a former president, Kessai Note who was the only other nominee.

The vote followed three days of tense and bitter debate over the vote of no confidence last Wednesday that ousted former President Iowa Tomeing.

Zedkaia, like Tomeing, is a traditional chief, which was a key element in his election.

Zedkaia, a paramount chief for the capital atoll of Majuro, has presided over the parliament since January 2008, and was a vice speaker in earlier administrations.

Zedkaia, also a five-term senator, will form a cabinet

The parliament will also elect a new speaker.

-- BERNAMA

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