WORLD : Bulgaria Picks Non-Communist

SOFIA, Bulgaria —  Zhelyu Zhelev, who led the democratic opposition in June’s free elections, became president today, the first non-Communist to gain any leading Bulgarian post in more than 40 years.

Zhelev’s election by Parliament ended almost a month of political stalemate following the resignation July 6 of President Petar Mladenov, a member of the ruling former Communist Party, now known as the Socialists.

Mladenov stepped down after it was confirmed he had called for the use of tanks against anti-government demonstrators in December.

Zhelev, 55, was a compromise candidate backed by all parties--including Socialist leaders--after five unsuccessful attempts to get a president elected by the 400-member Parliament.

Zhelev won 284 of the 389 votes cast.