The Fijian government says Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama needs "time to recuperate" after undergoing heart surgery in Australia.
Attorney-General and acting Prime Minister Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum told a media conference on Friday that he is in constant communication with the head of government.
Fiji's Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama. Photo: Facebook/Fiji govt
He rejected rumours that Bainimarama's health had deteriorated after his medical procedure.
"I've been in constant communication with him. He's doing really well. He's recovering. If you underwent a particular surgery you would not want someone to come and ask what's happening, you would want to stay away from that and recuperate well," he said.
Asked if the prime minister will return to Fiji to resume responsibilities at the end of this month as announced on 15 January, Sayed-Khaiyum said "we will see how it goes."
The government announced last month that the prime minister was recovering from cardiovascular surgery in Melbourne, Australia.
Fiji's acting prime minister Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum Photo: Facebook/Fiji govt
Sayed-Khaiyum said Bainimarama was in high spirits and had spoken with his family.
"As per the doctor's orders, this type of surgery takes weeks, at a minimum, to recover from. So, we expect to have our prime minister back at the helm of the nation, fitter than ever, by the end of the next month [February]," he said.
Sayed-Khaiyum said he was in Singapore for a medical check-up late last year.