Fiji's Coup Leader Sworn In

Commodore Frank Bainimarama Becomes Interim Prime Minister

(AP)  Fiji's military chief, Commodore Frank Bainimarama, was sworn in Friday as the South Pacific nation's interim prime minister, exactly one month after seizing control of the nation in an armed coup that dissolved Parliament and banished the country's elected leader to an outlying island.

During a swearing-in ceremony at Government House in Fiji's capital, Suva, which was broadcast live on national radio, Bainimarama promised to be "a true and faithful prime minister, so help me God."

The military chief's appointment as interim leader cements his control over Fiji; he now has authority to nominate new ministers in Fiji's caretaker government, expected to be announced later this month.

Bainimarama was sworn in by former President Ratu Josefa Iloilo, whom he reinstated on Thursday.

The military chief deposed the president and vice president during the Dec. 5 coup in which he dissolved the Cabinet, suspended Parliament and banished elected Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase to his home island, 190 miles 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 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.