Solomon Islands lawmakers pick pro-China Jeremiah Manele as PM

SYDNEY -- Jeremiah Manele, who most recently served as foreign minister of the Solomon Islands and who backs close ties with China, was sworn in as prime minister on Thursday after winning a vote by lawmakers that was closely watched by Australia, China and the U.S.

Manele took the oath of office in Government House under tight security after being nominated by 31 of the 50 members of the national parliament in a secret ballot earlier in the day.