The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)'s first freely elected national assembly in four decades officially opened on Friday.

In the parliamentary building "Palace of the People," the national assembly convened its first session, to form a temporary organization dealing with the daily work of the 500-member parliament.

The DRC's Supreme Court will announce the official results of the legislative elections on Nov. 9 to confirm the qualifications of the parliamentary members.

A total of 217 seats are held by members of the 31-party Alliance of the Presidential Majority, headed by incumbent President Joseph Kabila. The opposition bloc Rally of Congolese Nationalists, led by Vice President Jean-Pierre Bemba, has 119 seats.

Kabila and Bemba will go head-to-head in the upcoming second round of the presidential election on Oct. 29.

Among the newly elected parliamentarians, 42 are female. The eldest is 75 years old and the youngest is only 25.

The UN mission in the DRC, known by its French acronym MONUC, issued a communique to pass on its congratulations on the installation of the national assembly. The MONUC said the opening of the national assembly was a milestone for peace and democracy in the DRC's political transition.

In the communique, the MONUC urged the legislators to pass some basic laws and regulations to achieve the sustainable development of the DRC. The UN mission also hoped the parliament members could play a key role in the economic field to promote the constitutional reforms in the country.

The MONUC said the international community would deliver its full support to the DRC during its second round of the presidential election.

Source: Xinhua