The motion for a vote of no-confidence in the Solomon Islands prime minister Gordon Darcy Lilo has been adjourned until later today because its mover, the Opposition leader Derek Sikua, failed to attend parliament this morning.
Nine members of Mr Lilo's government have switched to opposition ranks, including the two ministers he sacked earlier this week, the former prime minister and minister for planning and aid co-ordination, Snyder Rini, and the environment minister, John Moffat Fugui.
Our correspondent Koroi Hawkins says Mr Sikua's absence put the Parliamentary Speaker in an awkward position.
"He said that he could have done away with the motion but it would have compromised his office - those were his words - so he's adjourned till two o'clock to see if the mover turns up at two o'clock."
Koroi Hawkins says at least three more members would need to leave government for the opposition to have a chance of removing Gordon Darcy Lilo.
