Rabuka's first trip overseas to be to Kiribati

Fiji's Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka will make his first overseas state visit since taking office on the eve of Christmas last month when he visits Kiribati.

The Kiribati government has confirmed that Rabuka will lead a delegation to the Micronesian nation on Friday.

It said the request for the visit was made by the Fiji government as part of its official engagements overseas.

Kiribati residents have been urged to "clean their villages" to keep the capital Tarawa "beautiful and clean" before the Fiji delegation visits.