Anwar Ibrahim sworn in as tenth Malaysian prime minister

Long-time Malaysian statesman Anwar Ibrahim has been sworn in as the country’s new prime minister, after the Southeast Asian nation’s palace appointed the opposition leader on Thursday ending a protracted election deadlock.

Making history, the appointment caps a more than 20-year wait for the former deputy prime minister who has been opposition leader for two decades amid jail terms and political coups.

Following a meeting with state rulers and in line with the Malaysian constitution, the king appointed Anwar as the Southeast Asian nation’s 10th prime minister. Anwar was sworn in at just after 5 p.m. local time.