KIGALI, Rwanda (AA) - The Republic of Congo's ruling party is leading in the first round of legislative elections held last Sunday, the government said Friday.

The Congolese Labor Party (PCT) of President Denis Sassou Nguesso won nearly 110 seats out of 151, according to provisional results published by the territorial administration minister.

Parties allied with the PCT won 12 seats, while opposition parties won eight, results showed.

More than 2,000 candidates competed for 151 assembly seats.

With 101 lawmakers, the PCT holds the majority of lawmakers in the outgoing assembly.

Nguesso has ruled for 37 years.

James Tasamba/AA