Related: Qarase claims victory in Fiji vote

    WELLINGTON, May 18 (Xinhua) -- The leader of Fiji's SDL Party, Laisenia Qarase, said Thursday he is to be sworn in as the prime minister Thursday afternoon.

    According to Radio New Zealand International, this comes as the recount of the Laucala Open seat confirmed an SDL win there.

    This gives Qarase side 38 seats in the 71-member assembly.

    Qarase said Thursday he had received written commitments of support from two independent lawmakers, giving him a narrow majority in Parliament following this month's general elections.

    Qarase told reporters in the Fiji capital, Suva, that he expected to be reappointed for a second five-year term by the South Pacific nation's president later Thursday.

    According to Fiji Government press release, the total ballot papers counted were 16,675 with less invalid papers of 974 leaving the total valid ballot papers at 1,5701.

    The number of voters registered in this constituency was 19,774.   Enditem