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SUVA - Fiji's self-appointed rulers drew another military ally into their ranks Friday with the appointment of Epili Nailatikau as vice president.
Nailatikau, a former army commander who is credited with guiding interim prime minister Voreqe Bainimarama through his military career, was handpicked by President Josefa Iloilo who last week declared himself head of state.
The positions of president and vice president were traditionally appointed by Fiji's Great Council of Chiefs.
Nailatikau's swearing in was attended by senior diplomats from China, India, Malaysia and Papua New Guinea as well as the outgoing head of the Catholic Church in Fiji, Petero Mataca, the FijiLive website reported.
The political shakeup in Fiji follows a court ruling last week that Bainimarama's military-led government was illegal, prompting Iloilo to sack the judiciary, abandon the constitution and set up his "new order".
He reappointed Bainimarama as prime minister and declared that none of his decrees could be challenged in court.
Bainimarama led a bloodless coup in 2006, accusing the elected government of Laisenia Qarase of corruption and favouring indigenous Fijians ethnic Indians.
Nailatikau, the Fiji army commander until a previous coup in 1987 led by Sitiveni Rabuka, was previously deputy prime minister after another coup in 2000 led by George Speight.
He was minister for indigenous affairs in Bainimarama's current government. --AFP
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