Lawmakers Choose Familiar Prime Minister
With armed riot police surrounding parliament, lawmakers today elected Michael Somare, the founding father of modern Papua New Guinea, as the impoverished South Pacific nation’s new prime minister.
His appointment followed a chaotic election marred by vote-rigging and at least 30 deaths. Fears of continued civil unrest led police to send armed officers to parliament in Port Moresby, the capital, ahead of today’s vote.
It is the third time Somare, a former journalist, has held the job since he led the country to independence 27 years ago.
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