4 Aug 2004

Sogavare pleased with Solomons appeal court coup ruling

4:36 pm on 4 August 2004

A former Solomon Islands prime minister, Mannaseh Sogavare, has expressed satisfaction after a Court of Appeal decision dismissed an application by a former prime minister, Bartholomew Ulufa'alu.

Mr Ulufa'alu had been seeking redress of his constitutional rights which he claimed were violated in June 2000, when Malaitan militants forced him to resign.

Mr Sogavare was then elected as prime minister.

The Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation quotes Mr Sogavare as saying he is relieved that the Court of Appeal decision finally removed any doubts over the legitimacy of his reign as prime minister.