Fiji's caretaker Prime Minister Mr Laisenia Qarase said today he was ready to seek presidential approval to lead the Pacific nation for the next five years but he is yet to seal a coalition deal.
"I will be the next prime minister, there will be no doubt about that," he told reporters in the hilltop village of Tamavua here.
"It wont be racially balanced (government) but it will certainly provide the security and stability our citizens are waiting for."
His Soqosoqo Duavata ni Lewenivanua (SDL) party was negotiating with independents and smaller parties to from the government that will restore democracy that was sundered when failed businessman Mr George Speight and his group stormed parliament in May 2000.
Mr Speight, who is now detained on an island near here awaiting a treason trial, deposed prime minister Mr Mahendra Chaudhry and his Fiji Labour Party (FLP) hostage for 56 days in that coup attempt. He won a seat in the assembly for the Conservative Alliance (MV).
Mr Qarase told reporters he could govern without MV but added, "we have not closed the door to the Conservative Alliance, we will be talking to them."
Following a week of polling SDL took 31 of the 71 seats in parliament. FLP took 27, MV six, New Labour two, one each for the United General Party and the National Federation Party and two independents with one seat left vacant due to a candidates death.
Mr Qarase appears likely to be able to form a government with 37 seats, and 43 if MV joins.
AFP