15 May 2019

Police call for calm as Solomons new parliament sits for first time

12:26 pm on 15 May 2019

Police in Solomon Islands are calling for calm as the country's new parliament sits for the first time.

Manasseh Sogavare speaks on the steps of Solomon Islands National Parliament shortly after winning the prime ministerial election. 24 April 2019

Manasseh Sogavare speaks on the steps of Solomon Islands National Parliament shortly after winning the prime ministerial election. 24 April 2019 Photo: Forum Solomon Islands International

A court case questioning the legitimacy of Manasseh Sogavare's nomination for prime minister resumes on Friday but parliament is sitting today.

Last month uncertainty surrounding the legal challenge, led to several days of rioting around the capital of Honiara.

Police are asking the public to respect the rule of law as parliament goes about its business.

The 50 MPs will be sworn in today, followed by the election of the speaker and the deputy speaker of parliament.

Only two nominations have been made for the speaker's position which is held by someone outside of the House.

The first is the outgoing speaker Ajilon Jasper Nasiu, the other is John Patteson Oti, a former foreign affairs minister and more recently the country's ambassador to Fiji.

The deputy speaker will be nominated from among the MPs.

Today marks the start of Mr Sogavare's unprecedented fourth stint as the country's prime minister.

Hr is leading a coalition government virtually identical to the previous administration.

The order of business for the first day of parliament was not finalised as of Monday afternoon.

Manasseh Sogavare is expected to call for a special adjournment of parliament until 4 June during today's sitting.

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