Port of Spain, Sep 8 (IANS): The People's National Movement (PNM) has won the general election in Trinidad and Tobago, ousting the People's Partnership of Kamla Persad-Bissessar. The PNM's Keith Rowley is set to become the new prime minister of the Caribbean country.

Preliminary results showed that the PNM has won 23 of 41 seats in parliament, Xinhua news agency reported.

"We are confident that the country has been placed in good hands. The PNM will take the responsibility of governing the country," Rowley said after the victory.

Kamla Persad-Bissessar, who traces her roots to India and was T&T's first woman prime minister, conceded defeat in a live television speech on Monday.

Rowley first served in parliament as an opposition senator in 1987-1990.

He later served successively as minister of agriculture, lands and marine resources, minister of planning and development, minister of housing and minister of trade and industry.