Fiji, Feb. 7 -- Tonga's Cabinet has defied an order issued by King Tupou VI to dismiss three Ministerial appointments.

In response to the King's directive, Cabinet conveyed to the monarch that the two affected Ministers will remain in their roles overseeing His Majesty's Armed Forces, Foreign Affairs, and Tourism.

A statement released by the Prime Minister's Office on Tuesday evening confirmed that last Friday, the Chief Secretary and Secretary for Cabinet received a letter from the Lord Privy Seal, conveying a decision from His Majesty in Council to 'revoke' the appointments of Prime Minister Hu'akavameiliku Siaosi Sovaleni as the Minister for His Majesty's Armed Forces, and Fekitamoeloa 'Utoikamanu as the Minister for Foreign Affairs ...