Fiji's prime minister, Laisenia Qarase, has given a strong public commitment to making his new multi-party cabinet work.
Mr Qarase has told the annual meeting of the Fiji Law Society that the leaders of the two major races can now change Fiji's destiny, adding it is an opportunity they must not miss.
Mr Qarase says it is inevitable that differences will emerge, but when these happen ministerial committees will seek consensus and common ground before matters go to cabinet.
He says the large public support for the multi-party cabinet, especially from non-indigenous communities, is increasingly making it clear that that it is guaranteed communal representation that is giving people a new sense of confidence and security about their future.
Mr Qarase says the biggest challenge to his leadership is to make a success of the multi-ethnic government which has been started through the multi-party provision of the constitution.
