The Solomon Islands government has suspended the Rennell Bellona provincial government after weeks of political impasse.
The Minister of Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening, Silas Tausinga, ordered the suspension when the Premier, Lence Tango, was unable to form a new executive after a host of resignations.
Mr Tausinga says he took the decision after all other attempts to resolve the impasse had been exhausted.
The order suspends the executive powers of the Renbel Provincial Government but not the legislative powers of its assembly members.
The Provincial Secretary, Angiki Peseika Baiabe, now administers the province but he reports to the Ministry's Permanent Secretary, Stanley Pirione.
