Tonga prime minister in intensive care

NUKU’ALOFA, Tonga: Tonga’s recently re-appointed Prime Minister Akilisi Pohiva was said to be in a stable condition in an intensive care unit yesterday recovering from an undisclosed illness.

Pohiva was admitted to Vaiola Hospital when he became ill last week and was transferred to the intensive care unit when his condition worsened on Sunday, medical authorities said.

A medical evacuation to New Zealand was planned but later cancelled.

Vaiola physician Sione Latu said the 76-year-old fell ill last week and was now responding to treatment.

The Prime Minister’s Office has not issued any statement about his condition, however the Kaniva Tonga website quoted his daughter Ana Pohiva Koli as saying he was ‘comfortable and fine’.

Pohiva was only returned to power for a second term three weeks ago, just months after the Pacific island’s king effectively sacked him by dissolving parliament and calling a snap election.

But while the prime minister’s position has now been filled following the Nov 16 polls, the prime minister’s office has been unable to reveal what is happening with nominations for cabinet.

The king never explained why he dissolved parliament, although media reports said there were concerns the government had acted unconstitutionally by signing international agreements without the monarch’s approval. — AFP