Election Rescheduled in Wake of Threats

Solomon Islands politicians will meet aboard an Australian navy ship Friday to elect a new prime minister after more than half the members of Parliament boycotted an emergency vote because of safety fears, Governor-General John Eni Lapli said on local radio today. The Australian troop carrier Tobruk is anchored off Honiara, the capital, after evacuating hundreds of expatriates following an attempted coup by an ethnic militia early this month. Deposed Prime Minister Bartholomew Ulufa’alu said 28 of 50 lawmakers boycotted the vote after gunmen threatened some legislators. Rebels warned that they may escalate the crisis in light of the failed meeting.