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New Fijian President Sworn In
At a somber ceremony at a sprawling colonial mansion, an elderly, ailing tribal chief was sworn in as president of Fiji on Thursday in the latest effort to bring the ethnically divided nation back to democracy.
Dressed in a traditional ``sulu'' skirt and black jacket, Ratu Josefa Iloilo was sworn in by the Pacific nation's chief justice, Sir Timoti Tuivaga, while special forces soldiers in civilian clothing patrolled the mansion's manicured lawns.
Once in office, Iloilo confirmed that former premier Laisenia Qarase was to be appointed later Thursday as leader of a caretaker government that would prepare for elections expected in August.
Qarase said he would name his Cabinet on Friday.
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