ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, March 27, 1997 TAG: 9703270049
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A-10 EDITION: METRO
Prime minister quits in Papua New Guinea
PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea - Jubilant soldiers and protesters ended a blockade of Parliament on Wednesday, after forcing the resignation of a prime minister who brought in foreign mercenaries to fight secessionist rebels.
Prime Minister Julius Chan defended his actions as he stepped down, saying he had acted to defuse an ``explosive'' situation after protesters and mutinous soldiers blockaded Parliament House and refused to let lawmakers leave.
The defense and finance ministers also agreed to resign while an interim government runs the country until national elections in June.
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LENGTH: Short : 24 linesby CNB