Vanuatu’s president dissolves parliament to avoid ousting of prime minister

Opposition leader says dissolution, staged to prevent a no-confidence vote against Bob Loughman, will be challenged in court

Vanuatu's president dissolved its parliament on Thursday, the state broadcaster VBTC reported, after an attempt by some politicians to oust the prime minister.

The PM, Bob Loughman, had been expected to face a no-confidence motion when parliament next sat after a group of lawmakers in his party said they had sided with the opposition in a bid to remove him.