CHISINAU, Jumada II 23, 1437, Apr 1, 2016, SPA -- Moldova will hold a presidential election on Oct. 30, its parliament announced on Friday, the first time a new head of state will appointed by public vote since 2001. Earlier in March a court ruled in favour of having direct national elections to choose a president rather than a vote in parliament -- a concession to protesters who have been demonstrating for months against the political elite. The four-year term of the current president, Nicolae Timofti, expired in March, but he will continue to carry out his duties until his successor is sworn in. --SPA 13:12 LOCAL TIME 10:12 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/w