Peru's ruling party takes Congress presidency

LIMA, July 26 (Xinhua) -- Peru's ruling Peruvian Aprista Party (APRA) succeeded in taking the presidency of the Congress during a vote on Sunday.

Luis Alva Castro, member of the APRA, was elected as the new president of the National Congress for the period 2009-2010 with 59 votes, which was followed by opposition candidate Rosa Florian with 47 votes.

A total of 106 Congressmen cast their votes.

After taking his oath, Alva said the most important task at the moment was to call for tolerance and peace.

"If we do not pay attention to the views of the Peruvian people, we will not have quick and effective answers (to their demands) that make them part of the country's modernization process," he said.

Alva served as interior minister between 2007 and 2008.

After the voting, the new directive broad of the Congress will summon a plenary meeting on July 28 and President Alan Garcia is scheduled to deliver his annual report.