Fiji's Interim Government's plan to appoint a new vice President in the Pacific nation has suffered a set back on Wednesday.

According to PacNews, a Suva-based regional news agency, Fiji's Great Council of Chiefs GCC) rejected the nomination put forward by the President Ratu Josefa Iloilo at a closed session in Suva.

The President put forward interim foreign affairs minister and Tailevu chief Ratu Epeli Nailatikau name for the endorsement of Fiji's august decision making body.

This was confirmed by the GCC secretariat official, Ratu Meli Bainimarama in a press conference late this afternoon.

However, the two major confederacies of Kubuna and Burebasaga rejected the President's candidate outright while Tovata was the only confederacy that endorsed the presidential choice.

Ratu Epeli, who was former Speaker of Parliament and military chief, is from one of the chiefly families in the Kubuna confederacy that rejected his nomination Wednesday afternoon.

Ratu Meli said Ratu Iloilo was called into this afternoon's session to be conveyed the decision of the chiefs body.

Fiji's Great Council of Chiefs is made up of representatives from the country's 14 provinces.

Ratu Meli confirmed Ratu Iloilo has accepted the decision. Another chiefs meeting is expected to convene at a later date to discuss a new nomination to replace another Tailevu high chief and prominent Suva lawyer, Ratu Joni Madraiwiwi.

This is the first time in the history of the GCC that a nomination from the President has been rejected. All decisions taken at the GCC meeting are reached through consensus.

The post became vacant when Ratu Joni resigned in the wake of the military takeover last year.

Source: Xinhua