Arthur Sinodinos has told the Prime Minister he is resigning as Assistant Treasurer, paving the way for Tony Abbott to reshuffle his Cabinet.

Senator Sinodinos stood aside from his ministerial duties in March after being called before the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC).

He was questioned about his former role as a director of Australian Water Holdings (AWH), which ICAC has been investigating over corruption allegations.

At the time, Mr Abbott indicated he expected Senator Sinodinos to resume his duties once the ICAC case had concluded.

But the report from ICAC has been delayed from January 2015 to March, which Senator Sinodinos said he was "extremely disappointed" about.

"I believe I'll be vindicated in terms of no corrupt conduct or illegality and I look forward to those reports coming out in due course but, as I've said, that could be some time yet," he said.

In recent weeks, he had been discussing his position with Mr Abbott and Liberal Party federal director Brian Loughnane.

"The Prime Minister has advised me that I cannot resume ministerial duties until the ICAC matters are completed and reported upon," Senator Sinodinos said.

"On that point the Prime Minister and I agree.

"We, as a government, need to have a full-time assistant treasurer, so it was by mutual agreement that I should resign.

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Arthur Sinodinos resigns as Assistant Treasurer, paving way for possible Cabinet reshuffle

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By Chusa Sichone

CABINET has asked Acting President Guy Scott to resign from his position with immediate effect.

Fourteen Cabinet ministers have since asked Secretary to the Cabinet Roland Msiska and the Attorney General Musa Mwenye to convene an emergency meeting which will discuss Dr Scott's replacement.

The ministers include Finance Minister Alexander Chikwanda, Home Affairs' Ngosa Simbyakula, Defence and Justice Minister Edgar Lungu, Foreign Affairs Minister Harry Kalaba, Gender and Child Development Minister Inonge Wina and Mines, Energy and Water Development Minister Christopher Yaluma.

Others are Labour and Social Security Minister Fackson Shamenda, Tourism and Arts Minister Jean Kapata, Health Minister Joseph Kasonde, Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Childhood Education Minister John Phiri and Chiefs and Traditional Affairs Minister Nkandu Luo.

Mr Kalaba, who spoke on behalf of the group during a media briefing at his office, said following the death of President Michael Sata, the transition had been led by Dr Scott in a "dangerous and haphazard manner."

"We urge Dr Scott to immediately resign from his position as Acting Republican President on moral grounds. As Cabinet ministers, we have decided to express a clear vote-of-no-confidence in his leadership and in his ability to carry out the remaining duration of the transition," Mr Kalaba said.

He further accused Dr Scott of leading the transition process without due regard for peace, security, unity and stability that Zambia was renowned for.

The 14 Cabinet ministers have since unreservedly apologised to the nation for affirming that Dr Scott should act as President during the October 29, 2014 Cabinet meeting, adding that the confidence and trust they reposed in Dr Scott was totally misplaced.

The ministers accused Dr Scott of repeatedly abusing their confidence and trust, as well as persistently working against the Patriotic Front (PF).

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Zambia: Guy Scott Rejects Resignation Call

Gov. Rick Scott on Tuesday replaced longtime Florida Department of Law Enforcement Commissioner Gerald Bailey with the head of the Capitol Police.

No explanation was immediately given for the change by the governor's office or the FDLE.

The governor's office issued a release in which Scott announced the appointment of Rick Swearingen as the interim commissioner.

The release briefly thanked Bailey for his service.

"He has been a terrific leader in our law enforcement community," Scott said of Bailey.

Bailey was appointed commissioner by former Gov. Jeb Bush and the state Cabinet on Dec. 5, 2006.

The change came as Scott revamps his leadership team in preparation for the Jan. 6 start of his second term.

Also Tuesday, Scott appointed Chad Poppell, chief of staff for the state Department of Economic Opportunity, as the new secretary of the Florida Department of Management Services.

Like with the FDLE change, the governor's office gave no explanation for Poppell's replacement of outgoing Secretary Craig Nichols.

Bailey, once a North Carolina State Highway Patrol trooper, served with the FDLE as deputy executive director, director of the Division of Criminal Investigation, inspector general, chief of crime laboratories and a special agent before taking the helm of the agency, which employs about 1,700 people with an annual budget topping $300 million.

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Gerald Bailey replaced as FDLE gets interim leader

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Cabinet Ministers at a media briefing

The Cabinet has moved to pass a vote of no confidence in Acting President Dr Guy Scott and have with immediate effect asked him to resign his position.

Reading a signed statement on behalf of all Ministers gathered at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Harry Kalaba flanked by other key Cabinet Ministers said that the actions of Dr. Guy Scott are now a threat to National Security and they have since informed the Central Committee of the PF on their decision.

The cabinet has since directed the Secretary to Cabinet working together with the Attorney General to ensure that an urgent Cabinet Meeting is immediately convened with the agenda to discuss the possibility of replacing Dr. Scott as Acting President.

Below is the full statement

17TH DECEMBER 2014

SUBJECT; AN EXPRESSION OF VOTE OF NO CONFIDENCE IN DR. GUY SCOTT AND PROPOSED REMOVAL FROM OFFICE OF ACTING PRESIDENT

We have called this Media Briefing to make profound pronouncements to the nation.

Following the death of our beloved President, His Excellency Mr. Michael Chilufya Sata, the subsequent transition has been led by Dr. Guy Scott, in a dangerous and haphazard manner without due regard to the peace, security, unity and stability that this country is renowned for.

We have noted with deep concern that since Dr. Guy Scott assumed the office of Acting President, he has carried out his duties without regard to the law, to the principles of collective responsibility, and without consultation with his Cabinet colleagues as is expected in such a transition.

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Cabinet passes vote of No Confidence in Guy Scott, urgent meeting called to discuss his replacement

A majority of Zambias cabinet ministers have signed a statement urging acting President Guy Scott to resign, and calling for a meeting of ministers to discuss his replacement.

We urge Scott to immediately resign from his position as acting republican president on moral grounds, Harry Kalaba, foreign affairs minister, said as he read out a statement signed by 14 cabinet members.

The ministers said they have no confidence in Scotts leadership, casting further doubt on prospects for a smooth power transition after President Michael Sata died in October. A power struggle in the ruling Patriotic Front over who takes over from Sata culminated in Scott being removed as the partys vice president late yesterday.

As cabinet ministers, we have decided to express a clear vote of no confidence in his leadership and his ability to carry out the remaining duration of the transition, Kalaba said. There is need for cabinet to convene with due immediacy to discuss the replacement of Scott as acting president.

Scott took over from Sata, but isnt contesting the presidential elections next month. The PF has split into groups backing Justice and Defense minister Edgar Lungu as the partys leader and another preferring Miles Sampa, the deputy commerce minister. Sampa has challenged Lungus nomination, with the Supreme Court on Dec. 15 referring the case back to the Lusaka High Court, where a hearing is set for tomorrow.

Scott fired Lungu as PF secretary-general in November before reinstating him a day later after street protests broke out.

To contact the reporter on this story: Matthew Hill in Lusaka at mhill58@bloomberg.net

To contact the editors responsible for this story: Antony Sguazzin at asguazzin@bloomberg.net John Viljoen

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Zambian Cabinet Ministers Urge Acting President Scott to Resign

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -

Gov. Rick Scott on Tuesday replaced longtime Florida Department of Law Enforcement Commissioner Gerald Bailey with the head of the Capitol Police.

No explanation was immediately given for the change by the governor's office or the FDLE.

The governor's office issued a release in which Scott announced the appointment of Rick Swearingen as the interim commissioner. The release briefly thanked Bailey for his service.

"He has been a terrific leader in our law enforcement community," Scott said of Bailey.

Bailey was appointed commissioner by former Gov. Jeb Bush and the state Cabinet on Dec. 5, 2006.

The change came as Scott revamps his leadership team in preparation for the Jan. 6 start of his second term. Also Tuesday, Scott appointed Chad Poppell, chief of staff for the state Department of Economic Opportunity, as the new secretary of the Florida Department of Management Services. Like with the FDLE change, the governor's office gave no explanation for Poppell's replacement of outgoing Secretary Craig Nichols.

Bailey, once a North Carolina State Highway Patrol trooper, served with the FDLE as deputy executive director, director of the Division of Criminal Investigation, inspector general, chief of crime laboratories and a special agent before taking the helm of the agency, which employs about 1,700 people with an annual budget topping $300 million.

Swearingen, who has been the director of the Capitol Police since June 2013, has been with the FDLE since 1984. He previously served as assistant special agent in charge and special agent supervisor.

"I look forward to working with Rick and the entire department as we continue to keep our crime rate at a 43-year low," Scott said in the release.

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Chanukah begins

Special to WorldTribune.com

WASHINGTON Saudi King Abdullah, past 90 and ailing, still makes major decisions in the Gulf Cooperation Council kingdom, a report said.

The Washington Institute for Near East Policy said Abdullah remains the leading force in Saudi Arabia. In a report, the institute said Abdullah was responsible for the biggest shakeup in the Saudi government, the replacement of eight Cabinet ministers on Dec. 8.

Saudi King Abdullah at an emergency session of the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council in Riyadh, on Nov. 16. / SPA / AP Photo

The new appointments suggest the monarch is still an active decision-maker, the report, titled Saudi Cabinet Changes Suggest Domestic Discontent, said.

Author Simon Henderson, regarded as a leading U.S. analyst on Riyad, said the king appeared to be responding to rising criticism of Saudi domestic policy. The Health Ministry and Transportation Ministry have been examined by the Consultative Council, an advisory group to the king, who is also prime minister.

The reshuffle did not extend to senior ministers, including defense, foreign, energy and interior. Moreover, no member of the royal family was dismissed.

Henderson pointed to the dismissal of the Islamic affairs minister, normally reserved for the Al Sheik family. He said this marked the first time in decades that the powerful family would not be represented in the Cabinet.

Some of the Cabinet changes may also stem from allegations of corruption a persistent issue in Saudi Arabia, but one that the leadership never deals with openly. Last year, the kingdoms Grand Mufti stated that corrupt officials should not be exposed publicly, reflecting the Saudi preference for closing ranks when facing possible criticism.

Abdullah, whose age was said to be actually 98, has rarely ventured out of his palace. He did not attend the Dec. 9 Gulf Cooperation Council summit in Qatar nor has he taken his annual vacation in Morocco.

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Whether 90 or 98, report concludes Saudi King Abdullah is still calling the shots

THE SHRILL panic with which Grace Mugabe, supported by Oppah Muchinguri, moved to force the removal and swift replacement of Joice Mujuru left most Zimbabweans wondering what might have spooked the country's First Lady into action.

Muchinguri offered to step down as head of the Zanu PF women's league so Grace could take over, and the First Lady used her subsequent nomination to stage whirlwind rallies across the country which she used to denounce Mujuru and prepare the ground for her ouster.

Mujuru has since been replaced by Emmerson Mnangagwa with Phelekezela Mphoko coming in as second vice president in a shake-up that saw several cabinet ministers whose loyalty President Robert Mugabe considered suspect being fired.

However, Muchinguri, perhaps inadvertently, or wittingly even, let slip the likelihood of even more significant changes to the country's leadership as the vice presidents and ministers took their oaths before Mugabe at State House last Friday.

Mugabe turns 91 in two months' time. He claims to be in fantastic physical shape for a man his age, but several "telling" gaffes at the Zanu PF congress were seen to suggest his advanced age is now taking its toll on a man who has led the country for 34 years.

But clearly addressing murmurs that the brutal government and Zanu PF purges were aimed at finally resolving - before stepping down - the succession question in a way that secures his family's physical and material security, Mugabe declared that he would remain in office as long as he was sane.

The party even agreed he would be its candidate for the 2018 general elections.

However, Friday's remarks by Muchinguri renewed speculation that the veteran leader has probably decided to retire.

Asked by journalists whether the removal of Mujuru and the appointment of an all-male "top three" at State and in the ruling party did not represent a huge setback for women's empowerment, Muchinguri said: "Something will soon be done to deal with that.

"I can't reveal it here, or discuss about it, but soon you will see something being done to solve that (the absence of women in the presidium)."

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Zimbabwe: Minister Hints At Mugabe Retirement?