Canada's opposition Conservative Party won Monday's federal election, but failed to win a majority in Parliament, preliminary statistics showed.

 

With 18 ridings left unaccounted, the Conservatives have won 118 seats, while the Liberals won 96 seats. The separatist Bloc Quebecois won 49 seats, and the New Democratic Party 27 seats.

 

Stephen Harper will become the first Conservative prime minister of the country after a consecutive 12-year Liberals rule. He has promised to cut taxes, crack down on crimes and improve strained relations with the US.

 

The Liberal government led by Paul Martin was toppled last November in a non-confidence motion involving a kickback scandal.

 

(Xinhua News Agency January 24, 2006)