Pacific

Futuna king quits amid clan rivalries

13:04 pm on 26 January 2010

Futuna is now without its two kings after the reported abdication of the monarch of Alo.

RFO television reports that Petelo Vikena stepped down just over a year after be ascended to the position.

There are reports of acts of vandalism perpetrated against some royal property, such as arson on vehicles and broken windows.

Vikena's choice had been widely criticised from the onset with several chiefly clans saying his coronation did not result from a consensus among chiefly and royal clans and families, but from a unilateral decision from the chiefly council.

France recognises three kingdoms in its territory of Wallis and Futuna.