Fiji's acting PM resigns

Fiji's acting interim prime minister, Ratu Epeli Ganilau, has resigned from the post but no reason for his departure has been given.

Mr Ganilau, who is also the Pacific nation's minister for defence, national security and immigration, handed over his resignation on Tuesday night, while self-appointed Prime Minister Commodore Frank Bainimarama was in China for trade talks.

Fiji's minister for Primary Industries Joketani Cokanasiga will step up as the acting prime minister until Commodore Bainimarama returns to Suva early next week.

Mr Ganilau joined the interim regime after the 2006 military coup. He had been an unsuccessful candidate in the 2006 election when he was the leader of the National Alliance Party.

Before entering politics, Mr Ganilau was Fiji's defence force commander for eight years.

- AAP