Qarase will be laid to rest at his village of Mavana in Vanuabalavu - Koroi

Mesake Koroi, the spokesperson for the late Turaga na Tui Kobuca Laisenia Qarase, has thanked the government for resuming inter-island travel from tomorrow.

He says now they can finally fullfill the former Prime Minister's wish to be buried at his village of Mavana in Vanuabalavu.

Koroi says their plan is to leave monday evening on the MV Cagivou which can only take 50 people while Qarase's body will be transported to the Island by air on Tuesday morning.

Koroi says their plan is to hold the funeral service for the late former Prime Minister on Tuesday.

He adds they will be meeting with the Office of the Prime Minister today to iron out a few issues.

Qarase's family had earlier said that being a village boy, it was Qarase's wish to be buried in his village.

Koroi says in respecting Qarase's last wishes, there shall be ‘no reguregu’ received.

Qarase was 79 years old and is survived by his wife Leba, their 7 children, 26 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

He was the sixth Prime Minister of Fiji and served as interim Prime Minister from 2000 to 2001 and then served as Prime Minister from 2001 to 2006.

He was also a former Managing Director of Fiji Development Bank, served on the board of Fijian Holdings Limited, was a former Chairman of Fiji Television Limited and was also the Managing Director for Merchant Finance.

Qarase served as a senator after being nominated by the Great Council of Chiefs.

After the military quashed the 2000 George Speight led the coup, Qarase joined the interim government as a financial adviser on 9th June 2000, until his appointment as Prime Minister on 4th July.

Following that, Qarase led the former SDL Party to two parliamentary elections. He formed government after the 2001 and 2006 general elections.

The Qarase led government was removed in the military takeover on December 5th 2006.

Meanwhile, President Jioji Konrote opened the signing of the condolence book yesterday.

The book was open for members of the public and organisations yesterday.