Ali Bongo, new president of Gabon and son of late President Omar Bongo Ondimba, delivers a speech to the media in Libreville, August 3, 2009. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    LIBREVILLE, Sept. 3 (Xinhua) -- Ali Bongo Ondimba, the presidential candidate from the ruling Gabonese Democratic Party, has won Gabon's presidential election held on Sunday, the Interior Ministry announced on Thursday.

    Ali Bongo Ondimba, the son of late president Omar Bongo Ondimbaand the former defense minister of Gabon, garnered 141,952 votes, accounting for 41.93 percent of the total votes in Sunday's election, followed by independent candidate Andre Mba Obame with 25.88 percent of the votes. The opposition candidate Pierre Mamboundou was placed as the third with 25.22 percent of the votes.

    In accordance with the Constitution of Gabon, the president is elected to a seven-year term by popular vote.

    The ruling Gabonese Democratic Party (PDG), on July 19, formally announced that Ali Bongo would stand as its candidate in the race.

    Ali Bongo was dismissed as minister of national defense on Aug.15 by interim president Rose Francine Rogombe so as to contest in the presidential election on an equal footing as other candidates.

    Accepting the nomination by the ruling party, he underlined the national unity by vowing that if elected, he would spare no efforts in fighting corruption and redistribute the proceeds of economic growth.

Ali Bongo, new president of Gabon and son of late President Omar Bongo Ondimba, delivers a speech to the media in Libreville, August 3, 2009. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    Ali Bongo's campaign had focused on his platform of peace, development and equality.

    "We are going to jealously guard the peace which was left behind by the late president Omar Bongo Ondimba while stressing on durable development and the equitable distribution of resources toall the people," he said to the local population in the western province of Estuaire during last weekend.

A giant poster of Ali Ben Bongo, the ruling party candidate and son of the former president, is seen in the capital Libreville, August 23, 2009.(Xinhua/Reuters Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    Ali Bongo also announced to reform the education system and improve the professional training while taking into account the state potential and the market needs if he is elected.

    "Our duty will be to create jobs all over," he said while promising to never interfere with the work of the two parliamentary chambers, the Senate and the National Assembly, in which his party has the majority representation.

    Ali Bongo was quoted by local media as saying on July 23 thatif elected, he would not seek to remain in power forever.

    "If the Gabonese place the trust in me and elect me to the head of state, I certainly will not stay 40 years, rest assured."

Profile: Ali Bongo Ondimba, winner of Gabon's presidential election