Asia-Pacific

Solomon newly-elected PM sworn in

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2006-05-04 15:55

Manasseh Sogavare was sworn in as prime minister of the Solomon Islands Thursday afternoon by Governor General Nathaniel Waena in the capital Honiara, hours after his election at a parliamentary vote earlier in the day.

Sogavare took his oath in a 20-minute long ceremony at the Government House, witnessed by Chief Justice Albert Palmer, Speaker to the National Parliament Peter Kenilorea and Attorney General Primo Afeau, according to a statement released on the government's official website.

At the parliamentary vote Thursday morning, 28 MPs voted for Sogavare while 22 voted for the government's candidate Fred Fono, Caretaker Prime Minister and MP for Central Kwara'ae.

His election came 16 days after serious riots broke out following the election of Snyder Rini as the Pacific nation's prime minister on April 18.

There have been allegations that Rini had bought the prime ministership using funds provided by Taiwan and local Chinese businessmen. The Chinese were the main target and victims of the riots, in which Chinatown was nearly leveled down following two days of looting and arson.

Rini resigned last week after at least five members of his government coalition had crossed the floor to the opposition, as the parliament was due to vote on a motion of no-confidence against him.