At the subsequent poll, the BCP was all but wiped out in the National Assembly as the newly formed opposition Lesotho Congress for Democracy, led by ex-Foreign Minister Pathtalika Mosilisi, took 58 of the 60 assembly seats. BCP supporters went on the rampage after the result, and the government was forced to call upon South African assistance to restore law and order. Since then, however, Lesotho has enjoyed a period of welcome political stability. Lesotho is a hereditary monarchy. The king is head of state with no formal executive or legislative powers.
Executive power rests with a cabinet led by the prime minister.