Ganilau nominated as Fiji presidential candidate

Fiji's opposition has named Ratu Epeli Ganilau as its candidate for president to replace the outgoing head of state, Ratu Epeli Nailatikau.

Parliament will hold a special sitting on Monday to elect the new president.

The opposition's leader Ro Teimumu Kepa says it has tried to follow a process to depoliticise the nomination.

Ro Teimumu says her SODELPA Party chose him after discussions with chiefs as opposed to a process of numbers and voting by politicians.

Ratu Epeli was the defence minister in the post-coup regime of Frank Bainimarama following an unsuccessful bid as leader of the National Alliance to win a seat in the 2006 election.

Ratu Epeli is also a former chairman of the Great Council of Chiefs.

Both he and Ratu Epeli Nailtaikau have been military commanders.