June 15, 2007	Friday	Jamadi-ul-Awwal 29, 1428

DUBLIN, June 14: Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern was elected for a third term in office on Thursday, by lawmakers voting in the first session of parliament since May 24 polls.

Ahern was given a standing ovation in the Dail (lower house of parliament).

He takes power at the head of a three-party alliance which is also supported by a number of independent lawmakers in the 166-seat chamber.

It is a major personal triumph for Ahern, 55, who is one of Europe's longest-serving leaders and the first Taoiseach (prime minister) to be chosen for three successive five-year terms at the head of multi-party governments.—AFP