King Letsie III says the seventh Parliament will focus on implementing Nation Vision 2020 which was adopted by Basotho in October, 2006.

In a speech from the Crown when officially opening the Seventh Parliament, King said all the government policies should reflect the National Vision 2020.

He said the main task of Parliament is to enact laws, and the seventh Parliament will discuss bills such as child Protection and Welfare Bill, Penal Code Bill, Sixth Amendment to the Constitution Bill, Environment Bill and Judicial Administration Bill.

Among other Bills that will be discussed will include National Heritage Bill, Anti Money Laundering Bill as well as Education Act (Amendment) Bill.

King said he was aware that parliamentary portfolio committees have been formed in order to improve the House's job.

He said as part of improving Parliament and welfare of Members, new Parliament building will be constructed in the new fiscal year while the old Parliament building will remain as a monument.

The Head of State applauded the new electoral model of Mixed Member Parliament, first adopted in 2002 general elections, saying in 2007 polls, the model has increased the number of parties represented in the National Assembly from ten to twelve.

In addition, he said parties formed alliances and partnerships before the elections, which he said showed maturity among Basotho insofar as politics are concerned.

He observed that all these improvements are giving Lesotho a good name, saying there is a lot that other countries could learn from this country. He added that since 1993, the international community has praised Lesotho for peaceful, free and transparent elections.

The King therefore thanked Basotho as a whole for their commitment and peaceful way in which they conducted themselves during the elections , saying they showed respect for one another, tolerance and peace.

'The truth remains that to differ in opinions is not war,' he remarked.

He thanked Non Governmental Organisations, donors, countries which have relations with Lesotho, election observers, chiefs, political leaders, Churches, media, Independent Electoral Commission and security forces for their contribution during this important public task.

Meanwhile, King ordered that a moment of silence be observed for four senators and 14 Members of the National Assembly who passed away during the last parliament.

Present at the occasion included Prime Minister, President of Senate, Speaker of the National Assembly, Chief Justice, Deputy Prime Minister, Cabinet Ministers, Judges of the High Court, Heads of Diplomatic Mission and International Organisations, Members of two Houses of Parliament and the public.

Source: LENA