Pro-China leader Sogavare pulls out of Solomon Islands PM race

SYDNEY -- Pro-China Solomon Islands leader Manasseh Sogavare has announced his withdrawal from the race to hold the nation's top office after this month's elections, in which several members of his party lost their seats.

Sogavare, who has served four times as leader of the Pacific nation, was vying to be the country's first prime minister to be returned after serving a full term. But unfavorable results at the polls appear to have spurred him to change his plans.