CASTRIES, St. Lucia (CMC):

The ruling United Workers Party (UWP) said Wednesday it will remain focused and carry out its full five-year mandate despite mounting pressure from the opposition St. Lucia Labour Party (SLP).

Acting Prime Minister Stephenson King said despite facing severe pressure from the SLP and facing a call from the opposition party for fresh elections eight months into its term, his administration was coping under the pressure and would certainly endure to the end of the term.

"We are in politics, and politics is all about pressure, responding to the needs of the people and generally performing as a government. We are here to perform, we have a plan and a vision and we are executing the plan and the vision," King told state radio.