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PNG lawmakers elect Somare as PM PNG lawmakers elect Somare as PM
(about 3 hours later)
Papua New Guinea's parliament has elected Michael Somare as prime minister for a second consecutive term.Papua New Guinea's parliament has elected Michael Somare as prime minister for a second consecutive term.
Mr Somare, 71, received the support of 86 members of the 109-seat parliament, seeing off a challenge from former leader Julius Chan.Mr Somare, 71, received the support of 86 members of the 109-seat parliament, seeing off a challenge from former leader Julius Chan.
The veteran lawmaker was the Pacific nation's first post-independence leader in 1975. This is the fourth time he has been chosen for the post.The veteran lawmaker was the Pacific nation's first post-independence leader in 1975. This is the fourth time he has been chosen for the post.
His election follows nationwide polls that began on 30 June.His election follows nationwide polls that began on 30 June.
The polls lasted for two weeks, to ensure people in remote areas got a chance to vote.The polls lasted for two weeks, to ensure people in remote areas got a chance to vote.
Mr Somare's National Alliance Party won just 27 seats, but it has formed a coalition government through alliances with smaller parties and independents.Mr Somare's National Alliance Party won just 27 seats, but it has formed a coalition government through alliances with smaller parties and independents.
Police set up road blocks around parliament ahead of the leadership election, fearing violent protests.Police set up road blocks around parliament ahead of the leadership election, fearing violent protests.
'Greater heights''Greater heights'
"I am happy to lead once again this large but manageable coalition government," Mr Somare said after his election."I am happy to lead once again this large but manageable coalition government," Mr Somare said after his election.
Polling in Papua New Guinea lasted for two weeks He said that Papua New Guinea (PNG) - a country with vast reserves of natural resources - had experienced unprecedented growth under his previous government.
He said that Papua New Guinea (PNG) had experienced unprecedented growth under his previous government.
"We will use the experience to achieve even greater heights over the next five years," he told lawmakers."We will use the experience to achieve even greater heights over the next five years," he told lawmakers.
But poverty remains widespread in PNG, a nation of some six million people, where about 40% live on less than $1 per day. The economy has indeed prospered in recent times, and growth of more than 5% is expected this year, the BBC's Phil Mercer in Sydney says.
Crime rates are high and corruption is endemic in the country, which has the world's highest ratio of people with HIV/Aids. The country will expect the Somare government to continue its financial reforms, he adds.
But there are other pressing issues facing the government.
Poverty remains widespread in PNG, a nation of some six million people, where about 40% live on less than $1 per day.
Crime rates are high and corruption is endemic.
Papua New Guinea also has the world's highest ratio of people with HIV/Aids. Australian experts predict the epidemic will claim some 300,000 lives in the country over the next two decades.