Prime Minister Julius Chan resigned Wednesday after facing an army mutiny, riots and nine days of public uproar over a $36 million plan to use foreign mercenaries to crush an army rebellion on the island of Bougainville.
Chan’s defense and finance ministers also agreed to quit while an interim government runs the country until national elections are held.
Chan said he would convene the Cabinet within 24 hours to appoint an acting prime minister.
This would guarantee public confidence in a government-ordered judicial inquiry into a mercenary contract with the British mercenary firm, Sandline International, he said.
Hundreds of protesters and mutinous soldiers have blockaded Parliament House and refused to let lawmakers come or go.
