MOGADISHU, Somalia - Former Defense minister Mohamed Mursal Sheikh Abdirahman was elected as the new speaker of Somalia’s Lower House of Parliament by a majority vote on Monday, Garowe Online reports.

Abdirahman secured 147 votes in the second round of the voting beating his closest rival Ibrahim Isack Yarow, a former deputy minister, according to the election result.

In his speech, Yarow who won 118 votes has conceded defeat in the tight race for the seat and called on MPs to defend the independence and unity of the Parliament.

“I thank my friends who gave me the votes and all of you,” Abdirahman said. 

In the voting session, 266 members out 275 were present who voted among 10 candidates run for the position vacated by former speaker Mohamed Osman Jawari who resigned on 9th April after motion against him.

The resignation of Jawari, the longest-serving speaker has brought to the end a month-long political deadlock in the House of the People.

The ballot was held at the Parliament hall in the capital under a tight security as the main streets of Mogadishu were blocked by government forces due to the election.

The new speaker, 61, who is also a member of Parliament held several positions in the past Somali governments, including Somalia's ambassador to Turkey 2012-2015.

GAROWE ONLINE