17 Sep 2003

Fiji PM to address nation on cabinet make-up

7:22 am on 17 September 2003

Fiji's prime minister, Laisenia Qarase, is expected to make a national address on the multi-party cabinet issue today.

Mr Qarase says he will brief the president, Ratu Josefa Iloilo, on his decisions before addressing the nation.

Last week, Mr Qarase said he had completed his discussions with the Labour Party leader, Mahendra Chaudhry, and was in a position to make a decision.

The 14 Labour MPs chosen by Mr Qarase to take up cabinet portfolios in his government have refused to do so, saying they were surprised to be named and that only Mr Chaudhry would decide who would join the cabinet.