26 Jul 2010

Indications that PNG's veteran leader readying to step down

7:42 pm on 26 July 2010

Papua New Guinea's Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare has promised to step down as leader of the National Alliance party before August 14 and consequently hand over the prime ministership.

The Deputy Prime Minister Don Polye has told the Post Courier newspaper that Sir Michael made this announcement during the National Alliance caucus meeting last week in Port Moresby.

Mr Polye said before Sir Michael steps aside, he will make a major reshuffle in Government.

This comes after Sir Michael appointed eight new Cabinet Ministers last week following the defection of deputy Prime Minister Sir Puka Temu and three other government ministers to the Opposition.

The Alliance conference is set for the second week of August in Minj in the new province of Jiwaka.