3 Sep 2014

Vanuatu speaker becomes acting president

1:53 pm on 3 September 2014

The search has begun in Vanuatu for a new head of state after the former president, Iolu Johnson Abil's term ended last night.

The speaker of the country's parliament, Philip Boedoro, will be the acting president until the Electoral College chooses a new head of state before the end of the month.

The Electoral College is made up of current MPs and the presidents of the six provincial governments.

Our correspondent says a new president is expected to be declared by the end of the week.

Mr Abil was first elected president in 2009 and has already left Port Vila to celebrate the end of his term on his home island of Tanna.