20 Jan 2014

Fiji PM to launch political party in March after quitting military post

7:30 am on 20 January 2014

The Fiji prime minister, Commodore Frank Bainiamarama, is reported to be launching his political party on March the 1st to contest the election he has promised for September.

The date has been reported by the Fiji Sun website, which says the regime leader will quit as military commander at the end of next month.

Last week, Fiji media reported to would quit his military role in March.

There is no indication what the party will be called.

Last year, Commodore Bainimarama signalled he would stand for office, saying he expected to win the election.

In December 2006, his coup ousted Laisenia Qarase as prime minister and Commodore Bainimarama installed Jona Senilagakali as head of government.

A month later he took over the prime minister's job after the Great Council of Chiefs refused to confirm as the president and re-instated Ratu Josefa Iloilo as head of state.