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Fiji Islands *Fiji’s military regime was suspended from the Councils of the Commonwealth on 8th December 2006 - Head of Government

The Hon Laisenia Qarase, Prime Minister

The Hon Laisenia Qarase won a second term in office following the ruling Soqosoqo Duavata ni Lewenivanua (SDL) party’s victory at the polls in May 2006 general election.

Mr Qarase first served as Prime Minister in September 2001 when the SDL won a wider margin of seats in the House of Representatives in the general election that year. He was concurrently Minister for Fijian Affairs, Culture and Heritage, and Minister for National Reconciliation and Unity.

Mr Qarase earlier served as Caretaker Prime Minister and Minister for National Reconciliation and Unity from July 2000 to September 2001. He was a Senator from June 1999 to May 2000.

Mr Qarase previously held a number of senior positions in both the public and private sectors, including Registrar of Co-operatives, Deputy Secretary of Finance, Permanent Secretary for Commerce and Industry, Secretary of the Public Service Commission, Chairperson of Fiji TV, Managing Director of the Fiji Development Bank and Managing Director of the Merchant Bank of Fiji.

Mr Qarase has a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Auckland and a diploma in co-operation development from the Co-operative College, United Kingdom.

Mr Qarase was born on 4 February 1941 in Mavana on Vanua Balavu, Fiji Islands.

* Fiji Islands was suspended from the councils of the Commonwealth on 8 December 2006 following a military coup led by Commodore Frank Bainimarama, who is now acting as the country’s Interim Prime Minister.