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SUVA - Fiji's military chief was sworn in as interim Prime Minister today, one month after seizing control of the South Pacific nation in an armed coup, dissolving parliament and banishing the elected leader to an outlying island.
Commodore Frank Bainimarama promised to be "a true and faithful prime minister, so help me God," during a swearing-in ceremony at Government House in Fiji's capital, Suva, which was broadcast live on national radio.
Bainimarama was sworn in by former President Ratu Josefa Iloilo, whom Bainimarama reinstated yesterday, and promised to act "for the good management of the public affairs of the state".
The military chief's appointment as interim leader cements his control over Fiji, as he now has authority to nominate new ministers in Fiji's caretaker government.
The military chief deposed the president and vice president during the bloodless December 5 coup in which he dissolved cabinet, suspended parliament and banished the elected Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase to his home island 300 kilometres north of Suva.
Under Fiji's constitution, the president has largely ceremonial powers, including signing bills and appointing officials on the advice of the Prime Minister.
As interim leader, Bainimarama has the power to select all key ministerial appointments in Fiji.
Bainimarama was scheduled to address the nation later today and local reports said the interim cabinet was also expected to be named.
Bainimarama has said his interim cabinet will be selected from a short list of 31 people before the end of January as the first step on Fiji's road to democracy, but he has made not mention of a return to elections.
The military ruler's decision to relinquish his self-proclaimed presidential powers and reinstate Iloilo came after a row with the country's influential Great Council of Chiefs, which appoints the president.
The council, which has strong influence among Fiji's politically dominant indigenous majority, refused to recognise Bainimarama's assertion of presidential power following the coup, maintaining that Iloilo and Prime Minister Qarase remained in power.
But in rare address to the nation yesterday, the aged and ailing Iloilo said he would have done "exactly what the army commander did" at the time of the coup, and that it was valid under the law.
But he also said Fiji should return to democracy as soon as possible and that he planned to hold consultations before appointing the interim government.
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