Solomon Islands to choose new PM

Sir Allan Kemakeza says he is not standing for the prime ministership

Negotiations are continuing in the Solomon Islands over who will be the next prime minister.

The 5 April general election saw a shake-up in the South Pacific nation, with around half of the country's 50 MPs losing their seats.

The newly-elected lawmakers will meet next week in the capital, Honiara, to chose a new leader.

These were the Solomon Islands' first polls since an Australian-led regional force restored peace in the country.

The peacekeepers were invited into the country in July 2003 after violence stirred up by local warlords left hundreds dead and 20,000 displaced.

The ruling party under the outgoing government, The People's Alliance Party, won 20 seats at the last election in 2001.

But several ministers have since been charged with corruption, which became an election issue.

The party appeared to suffer losses in the polls, although its leader, Prime Minister Sir Allan Kemakeza, retained his seat.

Half of the incumbent MPs were unseated and it is not clear if any political party or grouping has emerged as a dominant force.

Discussions are now under way between different parties and groups to try to form a coalition government.

Lawmakers will meet on Tuesday to chose a prime minister.

Sir Kemakeza has said he is not standing for the leadership and has backed his deputy, Snyder Rini.

Two other candidates are standing, former Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare and Job Dudley Tausinga, the leader of the new Rural Advancement Party.