Solomon Islands' parliament to choose new PM next week

The Solomon Islands parliament will elect a new prime minister next Thursday.

Nominations for the prime ministership open on Friday and closeon Saturday, according to Australian Associated Press.

A front runner is former prime minister Manasseh Sogavare who has picked up the opposition nomination for the prime ministership.

A curfew from dusk to dawn was lifted Thursday amid relatively calm situation following Wednesday's resignation of Snyder Rini, whose election as prime minister last week sparked two days of serious rioting, looting and arson in the Pacific nation's capital of Honiara. Protesters claimed Rini's election was fixed.

Rini chose to resign after he learned at least five members of his government coalition had crossed the floor to join the opposition, as the parliament was due to vote on a motion of no-confidence against him.

Last week's riots were the most serious since Australia, New Zealand and other Pacific governments intervened by sending troopsthere in 2003 to help end years of bloody ethnic gang conflict.

Australia, New Zealand and Fiji have sent more troops to Honiara in the wake of the riots.

Source: Xinhua