14 Nov 2007

Solomons government claims upper hand in power tussle

2:33 pm on 14 November 2007

The Solomon Islands government claims to have regained its support after the recent resignations threatened its stability.

It says three backbenchers who had earlier renounced their allegiance to the government rejoined the ruling coalition.

However, the Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation says the swearing-in of three new ministers was called off without the public being given an explanation.

The prime minister, Manasseh Sogavare, has rejected calls for him to stand down and the government sasy it now has the upper hand in the political stalemate.