PNG parliament elects James Marape as new PM

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James Marape has been elected as the new prime minister of Papua New Guinea (PNG) on Thursday.

With the formal resignation of the Peter O'Neill as the leader on Wednesday after a series of high-profile defections from his party over recent weeks, all 111 members of the nation's parliament took the house floor on Thursday morning to choose a new leader.

The official vote tally was declared 101 to eight for Marape. He is due to speak at a media conference later in the day.

Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea Peter O'Neill makes an address to the Lowy Institute in Sydney, Australia November 29, 2012. /Reuters Photo

One of the most senior figures in PNG politics, Marape hails from the highland region of Hela Province and previously served as finance minister under O'Neill, before resigning in April.

He was the first senior cabinet minister in O'Neill-led government to resign from office, which then sparked a chain of other members to move to the opposition block.

With heavy pressure mounting on O'Neill's leadership and a vote of no confidence motion pending, the embattled statesman was forced to resign, leaving the door open for a new prime minister.

(Cover: James Marape, new prime minister of Papua New Guinea. /Reuters Photo)

Source(s): Xinhua News Agency