Thabane to be Lesotho premier

Published Jun 6, 2012

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Politicians on both sides of the aisle in Lesotho say a longtime opposition leader will be the southern African country's prime minister.

After parliament met Wednesday for the first time since May 26 elections and chose a speaker, Thomas Thabane's All Basotho Convention and two smaller parties presented documents claiming they had enough seats to govern as a coalition. Thabiso Litsiba, secretary general of Thabane's party, says Thabane is expected to be sworn in as prime minister by next week.

Pakalitha Mosisili, prime minister for the last 14 years, saw his party win the most seats in the May election, but not enough to govern alone and was unable to form its own coalition. Mosisili 's secretary general, Lincoln Ralechate Mokose, acknowledged Wednesday that Thabane “will be prime minister.”

The peaceful vote and transition is seen as evidence democracy is maturing in Lesotho. - Sapa-AP

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