Solomons Deputy PM says he did not plan to resign to stand for PM's post

Solomon Islands Deputy Prime minister, Job Duddley Tausinga has denied planning to resign and stand as a candidate for prime minister in the no-confidence motion that will be tabled in parliament by the Opposition next month.

Mr Tausinga who is currently the Acting Prime minister, while Mr Sogavare is attending the United Nations Meeting in New York, was responding to stories that were circulated in various local and international media such as the Solomon Star and ABC News.

He says the suggestion is an insult to his integrity as a national leader and implies that he is hungry for power, which is not one of his characteristics.

Mr Tausinga says he is still a loyal member of the Grand Coalition for Change government led by Prime minister Manasseh Sogavare. Mr Tausinga is also the minister for Forests, Environment and Conservation.

Source: SIBC