Fiji to have interim government by January 2007: Army Commander

Fiji Islands could have an interim government in place by the end of January, 2007, the head of the military regime Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama said today.

Military commander Commodore Bainimarama said that 31 people from the 400 applications the military council received have been short listed for positions in the interim administration.

"The short listed applicants are now being contacted for clarifications on their availability. Should this process proceed smoothly, there should be an interim government in place to replace the current arrangement before the end of January 2007," he said at a press conference at the Queen Elizabeth Barracks, Suva.

Commodore Bainimarama had said earlier that none of the members of the interim government would be allowed to contest the next general election.

Commodore Bainimarama overthrew the Laisenia Qarase-led Government in a bloodless coup on December 5 and claimed executive authority. He said that the military will clean up government before it is returned to civilian rule.

Source: Fijilive