The Interim Prime Minister will not attend the Pacific Island's Forum Special Meeting as scheduled.

In a press release this afternoon, Commodore Frank Bainimarama confirms this saying he has written to the Forum Chairman and Niue Premier Toke Talagi seeking a deferment of the Port Moresby meeting.

Bainimarama said in his letter, he has sought the understanding and goodwill of the leaders with regards to the Fiji situation and his inability to attend and is placing the interest of the nation and those affected by the floods first.

Bainimarama said he would have liked to personally attend the Special Meeting which the leaders had sanctioned adding this is the reason he is asking for the deferment.

The interim Prime Minister is currently on a tour of the flood affected areas in the Northern Division and will return to Suva next week.

The Pacific Islands Forum Special Meeting is scheduled for next Tuesday in Port Moresby.