Solomon Islands parliament Photo: RNZ/ Koroi Hawkins
The deadline for nominations for next week's parliamentary election of a prime minister in Solomon Islands close today.
This comes after prime minister Manasseh Sogavare was ousted in a vote of no-confidence by MPs on Monday.
The two main groups lobbying to form the new government have to submit their nominations for prime minister before 4pm today.
Camped out in two Honiara hotels, both groups have been tight-lipped about who their candidate will be.
Mr Sogavare's group, which lost the no-confidence vote by 27 votes to 23 in the 50-seat parliament, said it was confident of claiming a majority again.
It said seven MPs from the group which voted against Mr Sogavare have since joined it.
Local media reports say the former finance miniser, Rick Hou, is tipped for the Prime Minister's post with Mr Sogavare likely to be his deputy.
Lobbying among MPs will continue before next Wednesday's vote.
