Tonga's Princess Regent HRH Princess Pilolevu Tuita arrived in pouring rain to open the first session Tonga's Legislative Assembly under the new system of government, shortly after 10:00am today at Parliament House, Nuku'alofa.

The opening of the Tongan Legialative Assembly this morning is historical, Princess Pilolevu said, because it marked the completion of the political reform that the government and the parliament had been working on during the past few years.

"It should be chiselled in the hearts of all Tongans, the achievement that we have made," said Princess Pilolevu.

She said that a formal opening of parliament would take place in May. Today's simple ceremony was to complete the Political Reform Program, and for the Cabinet Ministers and the Members of Parliament to be sworn in.

After the opening of parliament and the departure of the Princess Regent, the new Speaker of the House, Lord Lasike was sworn in by Chief Justice Dr Michael Dishington Scott.

But the swearing in of Cabinet Ministers and Members of Parliament was postponed for tomorrow, January 14.