Mongolian Prime Minister Ukhnaa Khurelsukh on Friday night survived a no-confidence vote initiated by his own party's 27 lawmakers.

Out of 73 members of parliament attending the vote, 40 legislators voted against the motion after it was debated for almost 10 hours in the 76-seat parliament, while remaining 33 legislators voted for the motion.

Before the vote, Khurelsukh said "we need more time to work harder for fulfilling our pledges to the people. I will fight hard against any injustices in the country."

On Nov. 19, a total of 27 lawmakers of the ruling Mongolian People's Party submitted the no-confidence motion to the parliament regarding a scandal pertaining to financial irregularities involving some members of parliament and government.

Members of the parliament and government and other high-ranking officials were reported last month to have obtained a number of loans with low interest rates from a fund that serves small and medium-sized enterprises.