26 May 2008

Fiji leader to outline thoughts on parliamentary democracy at MSG summit

7:47 pm on 26 May 2008

Fiji's interim prime minister, Commodore Frank Bainimarama, says he will brief his counterparts from the Melanesian Spearhead Group countries on the progress made towards parliamentary democracy at this week's summit in Port Vila.

He has committed Fiji to holding elections by March next year, but last week told media there would be no such vote if his People's Charter is not approved.

Commodore Bainimarama is expected to have bilateral meetings with the leaders of Vanuatu, Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea before the scheduled summit on Thursday.

A highlight of the summit will be the opening of the new MSG Secretariat building, which has been constructed with funds from China.