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Fiji's head dissolves parliament Fiji's PM is 'under house arrest'
(about 2 hours later)
Fiji's president has dissolved the South Pacific island's parliament, paving the way for the military to take control in a coup. Fiji's prime minister has said he is under house arrest as army soldiers blockade his residence in the South Pacific island's capital, Suva.
Earlier, armed troops surrounded the home of Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase, who is refusing to resign. The country's president denied comments by New Zealand's prime minister that he had agreed to dissolve parliament.
Military chief Cmdr Frank Bainimarama has repeatedly threatened to unseat Mr Qarase over plans to grant amnesty to those behind a coup in 2000. The reports appeared to suggest that the president was backing the military's attempt to stage a coup.
Cmdr Bainimarama is expected to give a television address in the coming hours. Military chief Cmdr Frank Bainimarama has repeatedly threatened to unseat Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase.
'Unconstitutional' The BBC's Phil Mercer, in Suva, says that despite the confusion it now seems inevitable that Mr Qarase will be a casualty of the country's political turmoil.
New Zealand's Prime Minister, Helen Clark, blasted news of the president's decision, a result of what she said was the military's "bullying, intimidation and threats". Cmdr Bainimarama is expected to give a press conference in the coming hours.
"This is a gross, undemocratic and unconstitutional situation," Ms Clark told BBC World television.
She said she believed the president had acted beyond his constitutional powers and warned of "fearful consequences for the people of Fiji unless the military and president pull back from the brink".
On Tuesday morning, Mr Qarase told the BBC's World Today programme that he expected to be taken into custody shortly.
No resignationNo resignation
Earlier, New Zealand's Prime Minister, Helen Clark, blasted reports of the president's decision to dissolve parliament as a result of what she said was the military's "bullying, intimidation and threats".
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 countdown
She warned of "fearful consequences for the people of Fiji unless the military and president pull back from the brink".
On Tuesday morning, Mr Qarase told the BBC's World Today programme that he expected to be taken into custody shortly.
The embattled elected leader refuses to step down voluntarily.The embattled elected leader refuses to step down voluntarily.
"I am at home but there are soldiers at the gate negotiating their way to come in," Mr Qarase said from his complex in the centre of the capital, Suva."I am at home but there are soldiers at the gate negotiating their way to come in," Mr Qarase said from his complex in the centre of the capital, Suva.
The army chief and PM have been at loggerheads for months
"If they want to carry out an illegal act, that is their choice," he said, "but I will not resign.""If they want to carry out an illegal act, that is their choice," he said, "but I will not resign."
He said Fiji's powerful Pacific neighbours Australia and New Zealand had "flatly said no" to sending military support after the Fijian police were disarmed on Monday.He said Fiji's powerful Pacific neighbours Australia and New Zealand had "flatly said no" to sending military support after the Fijian police were disarmed on Monday.
New Zealand's prime minister has said that she feared military intervention could have made the situation worse. Both neighbours have said that they feared that sending in troops would only inflame a delicate situation.
The BBC's Phil Mercer, in Suva, says it now seems inevitable that Mr Qarase will be a casualty of the country's political turmoil.
Checkpoints have already been set up across the capital in what Mr Qarase described as a "strangling of the government of the day".Checkpoints have already been set up across the capital in what Mr Qarase described as a "strangling of the government of the day".
'Dire consequences''Dire consequences'
Cmdr Bainimarama is angry at the way Mr Qarase has handled the aftermath of a coup in 2000, offering an amnesty to those responsible.Cmdr Bainimarama is angry at the way Mr Qarase has handled the aftermath of a coup in 2000, offering an amnesty to those responsible.
Mr Qarase says that at least 800 of those involved have already been convicted.Mr Qarase says that at least 800 of those involved have already been convicted.
Australia, Britain and New Zealand have advised their citizens to stay away from the tourism-dependent former British colony.Australia, Britain and New Zealand have advised their citizens to stay away from the tourism-dependent former British colony.
They have also warned of dire social, economic and diplomatic consequences if the military completes its coup.They have also warned of dire social, economic and diplomatic consequences if the military completes its coup.
Fiji has seen three coups in the last 20 years.Fiji has seen three coups in the last 20 years.
Are you in Fiji? Are you concerned about the current situation? Send us your comments and experiences.
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