PNG's leadership tussle continues after failed mutiny

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The tussle over the top job in Papua New Guinea continues between Peter O'Neill and Sir Michael Somare, after a failed mutiny to reinstate the latter.

Colonel Yaura Sasa, who led the revolt last Thursday, has been arrested and charged with mutiny.

But Andrew Kumbakor, who claims to be the defence minister in Sir Michael's government, is not backing down, Australia's ABC News reports.

He said he remained in charged of about 200 soldiers at Taurama Barracks.

On Sunday, Sir Michael released a statement reiterating his claim as prime minister, pointing to a court ruling in December 2011, The National newspaper reported.

"If this is to be my last and biggest battle, I will fight for the Constitution, the underlying law that holds the very fabric of our democracy and democratic institutions together,'' he said.

He also said that he would submit ''full contempt proceedings'' against Mr O'Neill and the cabinet to the courts, ABC news reported.

Meanwhile, Mr O'Neill said he remained in charge but it was possible he would call for early elections, due by the middle of the year.

He has also appointed Deputy Prime Minister Belden Namah as the country's acting defence minister, he added.

"Sir Michael is not the prime minister and he is no longer a member of parliament and must move on in life," PNG's Post-Courier newspaper quoted him as saying.

Leadership crisis

The failed coup was the latest conflict in a six-month power tussle between Mr O'Neill and Sir Michael.

The leadership crisis began after Sir Michael left Papua New Guinea in March 2011 to receive treatment for a heart condition and remained away for five months. His family said he was standing down from politics, but he later denied this.

The prime ministerial post was declared vacant in August and Mr O'Neill was elected by 70 votes to 24, replacing acting Prime Minister Sam Abal.

But a Supreme Court ruling in December 2011 stated that parliament had acted illegally by electing Mr O'Neill prime minister. The court also ruled in a 3-2 decision that Sir Michael should be ''restored to the office of prime minister''.

Mr O'Neill, who is backed by the civil service, the police and defence forces and effectively running the country, has refused to step down.

Last Thursday, a group of about 20 soldiers, led by Col Sasa, briefly held the head of the armed forces hostage in the capital Port Moresby.

Col Sasa has said he does not regret his actions and that they had been ordered by Sir Michael.

"The state ordered me to do it," Australia's ABC News quoted him as saying.

He warned that the soldiers loyal to him could resort to violence if he was not able to see them.

"I must go and talk to the troops to stop this. Because my absence can mean something. I must stop this. I must stop this situation from getting out of hand," he told reporters.