22 Jul 2003

Fiji cabinet talks to be held tomorrow

6:27 am on 22 July 2003

Fiji's prime minister, Laisenia Qarase, has invited the Labour Party leader, Mahendra Chaudhry, for talks on a multi-party cabinet in Suva tomorrow morning.

It will be the first meeting between the two men since last Friday's Supreme Court order to the prime minister to form a multi-party cabinet which includes Labour without delay.

In his letter, Mr Qarase has told Mr Chaudhry that he will invite Labour to be part of the government as required by the constitution.

He also says he will explain to Mr Chaudhry his position on the multi-party cabinet.

Mr Chaudhry has confirmed receiving the invitation and says he is ready to meet the prime minister.

Meanwhile, the opposition leader, Mick Beddoes, has called on current cabinet ministers to show leadership and resign their portfolios.

He says this will give the prime minister a free hand to form a multi-party cabinet.