Prime Minister Peter O'Neill has declared he is still in charge of Papua New Guinea, but says an early election is a possibility after a group of soldiers loyal to his predecessor mutinied.
Mr O'Neill's political rival, Sir Michael Somare, has remained silent since 30 to 80 troops stormed Murray Barracks in Port Moresby early yesterday morning and replaced defence chief Brigadier Francis Agwi with a retrenched colonel, Yaura Sasa.
Colonel Sasa called on Governor-General Sir Michael Ogio to recognise the Somare government and gave parliamentarians seven days to ''sort out'' PNG's disputed political leadership.
Mr O'Neill told journalists at a press conference that he remained in control of PNG's infrastructure, including the police and armed forces.
He also appointed Deputy Prime Minister Belden Namah the country's acting defence minister.
Mr O'Neill said Colonel Sasa had been ''dealt with'' but would not elaborate. ''This government does not answer to one man calling on us to recall parliament in seven days,'' he said.
''Parliament will recommence on February 14 and we will sort it out then.
''If [Colonel Sasa] does not have confidence in my leadership, all he needs to do is [have his supporters] introduce a vote of no confidence in my leadership, and if they succeed I will resign.''
Mr O'Neill said he could yet decide to dissolve parliament after February 14 and call a general election. 'It is an option we are considering.''
Mr O'Neill said he had spoken with Brigadier-General Agwi, who had been under house arrest since the barracks were taken by Sir Michael's men.
''He is in good spirits,'' he said.
When asked if General Agwi was still in charge of the majority of the military, Mr O'Neill replied ''of course'', but would not provide detail of his whereabouts.
Earlier, Mr Namah said the plot was an act of treason and sedition.
''Somare has now lost the total respect of the country he fought for independence [for],'' he said.
''I want to say this to Somare: You have lost your mind. You have lost total control of yourself. You have lost your mind. You have lost sanity.''
Sir Michael has not been heard from since Wednesday, when he issued a statement expressing grief over the death of a former supporter.
His daughter and media spokesperson, Betha, told reporters Sir Michael and his roughly 20 parliamentary supporters had approved the military mutiny, and that Colonel Sasa was acting on their behalf.
Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard said, ''The military has no place in PNG politics.
''It is critical therefore that this situation be resolved peacefully as soon as possible, with the PNG defence force chain of command restored.''
More than 68 out of 109 MPs have voted numerous times for an O'Neill prime ministership since August, and the man himself has promised the people of PNG free education, free health care and a raft of infrastructure building proposals.
Sir Michael was restored to office by court order in late December and immediately appointed Fred Yakasa as police commissioner. The majority of the police, public service and the military, however, appeared to back an O'Neill prime ministership.
Sir Michael is held with deep respect in PNG, where he served as the nation's first prime minister when it achieved independence from Australia in 1975. He reclaimed the top job again in 2002, becoming its longest serving PM until he was deposed in August.
The streets of Port Moresby were quiet last night, with no reports of violence.
.gif)
