KEY POINTS:
SUVA - Seven more interim ministers will be sworn in by Fiji President Ratu Josefa Iloilo in Suva today.
Eight ministers were sworn in on Monday.
Fiji Labour Party Leader Mahendra Chaudhry - a former prime minister - is strongly tipped to be the Minister for Finance in
the military-appointed interim government.
Attempts to contact Chaudhry have been unsuccessful, but sources close to him say an approach has been made for him to be part of the government.
Chaudhry is one of several Labour members expected to take up ministries in the government headed by Commodore Frank Bainimarama.
Deposed Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Lekh Ram Vayeshnoi is tipped to be the Minister for Youth and Sports.
Deputy Opposition Leader Bernadette Rounds Ganilau has been endorsed by the United Peoples Party to accept an invitation from the military.
National Alliance Party Leader Ratu Epeli Ganilau's name has been mentioned for the Fijian Affairs portfolio, but party spokesman Kini Rarubi says Ratu Epeli is focused on contesting the next general election.
Deputy Fiji Labour Party leader Poseci Bune, who was sworn in as Minister for Public Service yesterday, said he had no intention of standing in the next elections.
Bune, who was environment minister in the government deposed by Bainimarama last year, says he has taken a ministry in the interim government because it could be his last as a politician.
He was Deputy Prime Minister in the Labour government from 1999 to 2000, which was deposed in a coup by George Speight.
"One reason why I accepted this appointment, I don't think I have any interest of coming back in politics, I have had two bad experiences where I have ended up as a hostage. I don't want to go back, I do not want to follow that path again," Bune said.
Newly appointed Foreign Minister Ratu Epeli Nailatikau said although Fiji might have to look north again it must not forget that Australia and New Zealand are its two most important neighbours.
"We have a long-standing relationship with New Zealand and Australia and other Pacific Island countries and we have to build on that," he said.
But there has been no change to the travel ban on Bainimarama issued by the Australian government after the military coup last month.
Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer stated on December 6 that the government would take steps to prevent all travel to and through Australia by Bainimarama, his supporters and their families.
He said there would also be ban on travel by anyone unwise enough to join an unconstitutional government in Fiji.
The Australian High Commission has confirmed there has been no change to that policy.
The New Zealand government has also warned that anybody taking up a position in Bainimarama's government will face a ban on travel to New Zealand.
- AAP
