Guinea-Bissau's authorities scheduled a third ceremony for Friday to transfer power formally to the new prime minister Aristides Gomes after the outgoing head of government boycotted two attempts Thursday.

According to reports reaching here, Gomes, who was sworn in Wednesday, said he was "not surprised" by the absence of Carlos Gomes Junior, his predecessor, from the twice scheduled ceremony on Thursday.

By law, the "transfer of power" ceremony can take place Friday with the presence of magistrates if Gomes Jr. again fails to appear. The new primer minister has said he will unveil the composition of his cabinet "very soon."

The former prime minister Gomes Jr. , sacked last Friday, has charged President Joao Bernardo Vieira's appointment of his replacement "illegal and unconstitutional" as it did not arise from his largest PAIGC party.

The African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde (PAIGC) has threatened "uninterrupted political struggle" to press the president to revoke his appointment of Gomes to form a new government.

Source: Xinhua