Fiji swears in new President

An elderly, ailing tribal chief has been sworn in as Fijian President in the latest move to guide the ethnically-divided nation back to democracy.

Dressed in a traditional "sulu" skirt and black jacket, Ratu Josefa Iloilo was sworn in by the country's chief justice, Sir Timoti Tuivaga.

Earlier, Iloilo's nephew, Ratu Tevita Momoedonu, resigned as prime minister less than 24 hours after his uncle had sworn him in, saying he was making way for democratic elections expected to be held in August.

The complex political manoeuvring in the capital Suva is designed to help Fiji return to democracy for the first time since nationalist gunmen stormed Parliament on May 19 and toppled the Indian-led Government of Mahendra Chaudhry.

Iloilo said he wanted to ease tensions and move Fiji towards elections and democratic government.

He added: "Going back to the people through fresh elections is the most sensible and democratic way to resolve the confusion ... among all the political parties in Parliament.

"An early election will give us a new start."

Momoedonu was installed as prime minister for a day to approve Iloilo's appointment as president by the country's influential tribal chiefs.

Iloilo's appointment had to be rubber stamped by the country's prime minister and Momoedonu was chosen for the job because Chaudhry, who still claims to be the legal prime minister, would almost certainly not have approved Iloilo's appointment.

Iloilo formally dismissed Chaudhry, the country's first ethnic Indian prime minister, from office prior to swearing in Momoedonu. Chaudhry is expected to launch a legal challenge to his dismissal.