New Caledonia's government is due to meet shortly in a fresh bid to elect a president.
The territory has been without a president for five weeks after the government led by Cynthia Ligeard collapsed amid disagreements within the anti-independence camp.
Although the same 11-member government was re-elected on New Year's Eve, the ministers could not agree on who should be the president.
The French High Commissioner in New Caledonia has convened a fresh meeting today in the hope the deadlock can be broken because without a president, the government is in caretaker mode only.
Mrs Ligeard is seeking re-election while the rival Caledonia Together Party has nominated Philippe Germain as its candidate.
To be chosen, a candidate has to get the backing of at least six of the 11 government members.
Philippe Germain and Cynthia Ligeard Photo: THEO ROUBY / AFP
