12 Nov 2007

Solomons PM says he has no details of complaints by revolting Cabinet ministers

12:12 pm on 12 November 2007

The Solomons government is in crisis following the resignation of nine cabinet ministers and three backbenchers.

The group say they no longer have confidence in the leadership style of the Prime Minister, Manasseh Sogavare.

The Governor General has been requested to consider calling for an urgent meeting of Parliament within the next seven days.

They want to submit a motion of no confidence if Mr Sogavare does not resign.

The leader of the Opposition and other members of Parliament have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to stay together to form a new government.

Mr Sogavare says he would like to know more about the complaints being levelled against him:

"All I'm hearing is rumours, people are complaining about this and that. I've yet to be reallyapproached by Ministers to tell exactly what it is that are worried about."

Local reports quote Mr Sogavare as saying he still has enough support in parliament and he will not step down.