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Fiji army takes over police base Fiji army takes over police base
(20 minutes later)
Fijian soldiers have taken over the headquarters of the country's only armed police unit, fuelling speculation of an imminent military coup.Fijian soldiers have taken over the headquarters of the country's only armed police unit, fuelling speculation of an imminent military coup.
Soldiers removed weapons belonging to police, and have been patrolling the area around the compound. Soldiers removed weapons belonging to police, and have also set up roadblocks around the capital Suva.
Military chief Cmdr Frank Bainimarama said the move was to ensure there would be no violence between the two forces.Military chief Cmdr Frank Bainimarama said the move was to ensure there would be no violence between the two forces.
The army has threatened to unseat PM Laisenia Qarase over plans to grant amnesty to those behind a coup in 2000.The army has threatened to unseat PM Laisenia Qarase over plans to grant amnesty to those behind a coup in 2000.
Cmdr Bainimarama originally gave the government until last Friday to resign or face Fiji's fourth army takeover in two decades.Cmdr Bainimarama originally gave the government until last Friday to resign or face Fiji's fourth army takeover in two decades.
The coup did not take place - but in a TV interview at the weekend he said he expected Mr Qarase to "give in peacefully" and leave office on Monday.The coup did not take place - but in a TV interview at the weekend he said he expected Mr Qarase to "give in peacefully" and leave office on Monday.
However, Mr Qarase was standing firm, telling Fiji radio on Monday he remained in charge.However, Mr Qarase was standing firm, telling Fiji radio on Monday he remained in charge.
Loading weaponsLoading weapons
In a statement to reporters, Cmdr Bainimarama said his troops had taken weapons off the police "to ensure that police weapons are not used against the military". Cmdr Bainimarama refused to say if a coup was underway. "I don't have any comments right now," he said when asked who was running the country.
He told reporters his troops had taken weapons off the police "to ensure that police weapons are not used against the military".
FIJI TENSIONS TIMELINE 2000 Brief coup put down by army chief Bainimarama12 July 2005 Cmdr Bainimarama warns he will topple government if it pardons jailed coup plotters13 July 2005 PM Laisenia Qarase says he will review law pardoning plotters17 May 2006 Mr Qarase wins re-election31 Oct Mr Qarase tries - and fails - to replace Cmdr Bainimarama as army chief4 November Mr Qarase says he will change law offering clemency to coup plotters7 November Military calls for police chief to quit30 November Mr Qarase offers "concessions" after meeting Cmdr Bainimarama30 November Cmdr Bainimarama warns of coup if demands not met1 December Deadline set for possible coup passes without incident In pictures: Coup countdownFIJI TENSIONS TIMELINE 2000 Brief coup put down by army chief Bainimarama12 July 2005 Cmdr Bainimarama warns he will topple government if it pardons jailed coup plotters13 July 2005 PM Laisenia Qarase says he will review law pardoning plotters17 May 2006 Mr Qarase wins re-election31 Oct Mr Qarase tries - and fails - to replace Cmdr Bainimarama as army chief4 November Mr Qarase says he will change law offering clemency to coup plotters7 November Military calls for police chief to quit30 November Mr Qarase offers "concessions" after meeting Cmdr Bainimarama30 November Cmdr Bainimarama warns of coup if demands not met1 December Deadline set for possible coup passes without incident In pictures: Coup countdown
"The police and the (military) will work together to ensure the security and safety of all the people of Fiji," he went on."The police and the (military) will work together to ensure the security and safety of all the people of Fiji," he went on.
But he refused to give further details and when asked who was running the country, said only: "I don't have any comments right now".
Troops arrived at the headquarters of the police's Tactical Response Unit outside the capital, Suva, early on Monday.Troops arrived at the headquarters of the police's Tactical Response Unit outside the capital, Suva, early on Monday.
Soldiers then loaded weapons belonging to police on to army trucks.Soldiers then loaded weapons belonging to police on to army trucks.
"The army asked to examine what weapons this unit has. It is not violent," assistant police commissioner Moses Driver told Fiji radio."The army asked to examine what weapons this unit has. It is not violent," assistant police commissioner Moses Driver told Fiji radio.
"We are hopeful that no confrontation of any sort is going to occur. The Fiji police appeal to members of the public to remain calm," he said. Heavily-armed troops were also reported to be setting up roadblocks around the capital Suva.
They had cut off several roads entering the city and were guarding the president's residence, a Reuters news agency witness said.
Earlier, bodyguards for the prime minister and other ministers were disarmed.
Ongoing feudOngoing feud
Australia and New Zealand have warned of dire economic and social consequences if the military deposes Fiji's elected government.Australia and New Zealand have warned of dire economic and social consequences if the military deposes Fiji's elected government.
"It is clear Fiji is on the brink of a coup," Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer told his parliament."It is clear Fiji is on the brink of a coup," Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer told his parliament.
The feud between the prime minister and the army chief goes back several months.The feud between the prime minister and the army chief goes back several months.
It relates to legislation that Mr Qarase is seeking to pass, which offers a pardon to people involved in the 2000 racially-motivated coup and allocates the ownership of coastal land to ethnic Fijians.It relates to legislation that Mr Qarase is seeking to pass, which offers a pardon to people involved in the 2000 racially-motivated coup and allocates the ownership of coastal land to ethnic Fijians.
Cmdr Bainimarama played a key role in putting down the uprising and was at one point forced to flee for his life.Cmdr Bainimarama played a key role in putting down the uprising and was at one point forced to flee for his life.
He has made it clear that he does not feel the government has done enough to bring its perpetrators to justice.He has made it clear that he does not feel the government has done enough to bring its perpetrators to justice.