Papua New Guinea's veteran politician, Sir Michael Somare, has reiterated his country's support for Fiji's leadership.
Sir Michael is in Fiji for quarter century celebrations of the Melanesian Spearhead's group.
The Fiji Sun reports Sir Michael saying Fiji has its own choice to make and no one from outside can influence Fiji.
He said PNG accepted the leadership of Commodore Frank Bainimarama when everybody was saying that Fiji was going the wrong way.
Sir Michael, who was PNG's first prime minister, described Fiji as a leading leader, and said the country needed to be an integral part of the Pacific.
He says it is important that Pacific Island nations are united, working together for the common good of island people
