Lao parliament elects Thongloun as new president

Newly elected Lao Prime Minister Phankham Viphavanh (R, front) shakes hands with Thongloun Sisoulith, who was just elected as the country's new president, on the inaugural session of the ninth legislature of the Lao National Assembly in Vientiane, Laos, on March 22, 2021. The ongoing inaugural session of the ninth legislature of the Lao National Assembly (NA) on Monday morning elected Thongloun Sisoulith, general secretary of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP) Central Committee, as the country's new president, replacing Bounnhang Vorachit. Phankham Viphavanh, a member of the Political Bureau of the LPRP Central Committee, was also elected as the new prime minister of Laos. (Photo by Kaikeo Saiyasane/Xinhua)