18 Jan 2003

Nauru supreme court confirms Rene Harris as president

8:24 am on 18 January 2003

Nauru's Supreme Court has ruled that President Rene Harris is the legitimate leader of the country.

Radio Australia quotes the chief justice, Barry Connell, as saying opposition members of parliament who passed a no-confidence motion against Mr Harris failed to obtain a quorum.

Under the constitution, nine votes are needed but only eight members voted on the motin last week.

The opposition MPs had sought to install Bernard Dowiyogo as president.