In elections broadcast live, the High State Council (HSC) elected Mohamed Takala as its new head today. Incumbent HSC head Khaled Al-Mishri lost by 62 votes to 67 in the second round of voting out of a total vote of 131. Takala had gone through in the first round of votes by 39 votes to Mishri’s 49 votes. Takala’s election was seen as a surprise result and is interpreted more as a rejection of Mishri rather than an election of Takala. The HSC had split over the last few years, and it is hoped Takala would reunite the HSC.
