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Military 'takes control of Fiji' Military 'takes control of Fiji'
(30 minutes later)
The military commander of Fiji has announced he has taken over control of the country.The military commander of Fiji has announced he has taken over control of the country.
Cmdr Frank Bainimarama said in a televised address he had taken executive powers and dismissed Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase. Cmdr Frank Bainimarama said in a televised address he had assumed executive powers and dismissed Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase.
Cmdr Bainimarama accused the prime minister of corruption and leading Fiji on a path of doom.Cmdr Bainimarama accused the prime minister of corruption and leading Fiji on a path of doom.
Mr Qarase said earlier he had been put under house arrest as troops blockaded his home in the capital, Suva.Mr Qarase said earlier he had been put under house arrest as troops blockaded his home in the capital, Suva.
Amnesty I urge all citizens to remain calm, and maintain the peace that currently prevails Cmdr Bainimarama href="/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/769527.stm" class="">Profile of army chief Cmdr Bainimarama warned that more troops would be seen on the streets of Fiji but said there was no curfew and he urged the population not to be intimidated.
Cmdr Bainimarama warned that more troops would be seen on the streets of Fiji but said there was no curfew and he urged the population not to be intimidated.
He said Fiji had reached a "crossroads" and that the government had been "unable to make decisions to save our people from destruction".He said Fiji had reached a "crossroads" and that the government had been "unable to make decisions to save our people from destruction".
"I urge all citizens to remain calm, and maintain the peace that currently prevails," he said."I urge all citizens to remain calm, and maintain the peace that currently prevails," he said.
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 href="/1/hi/in_pictures/6160649.stm" class="">In pictures: Coup countdown Cmdr Bainimarama said he would next week ask the country's Great Council of Chiefs to restore executive powers to President Ratu Josefa Iloilo.
Cmdr Bainimarama had repeatedly threatened to unseat Mr Qarase, expressing anger at the way the prime minister had handled the aftermath of a coup in 2000, offering an amnesty to those responsible. The president would then appoint an interim government and elections would follow at an unspecified date, the military chief said.
In his speech Cmdr Bainimarama accused Mr Qarase of failing to address the military's concerns in "true spirit" and said the prime minister had created tension in the army by trying to have him removed. Cmdr Bainimarama had repeatedly threatened to unseat Mr Qarase, expressing anger at the way the prime minister had proposed legislation to offer an amnesty to those responsible for a coup in 2000.
FIJI TENSIONS TIMELINE 2000: Brief coup put down by army chief BainimaramaJuly 2005: Bainimarama warns he will topple govt if it pardons jailed coup plotters - PM says he will review lawMay 2006: PM Laisenia Qarase wins re-election31 Oct: Qarase tries - and fails - to replace BainimaramaNovember: Qarase says he will change law offering clemency to coup plotters - Bainimarama warns of coup5 Dec: Military declares coup In his speech Cmdr Bainimarama accused Mr Qarase of failing to address the military's concerns in "true spirit" and said the prime minister had created tension in the army by trying to have him removed.
Earlier on Tuesday, Mr Qarase told the BBC's World Today programme he expected to be taken into custody.Earlier on Tuesday, Mr Qarase told the BBC's World Today programme he expected to be taken into custody.
He refused to step down voluntarily.He refused 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 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 Suva.
"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."
Cmdr Bainimarama said in his address the military was not arresting ministers.Cmdr Bainimarama said in his address the military was not arresting ministers.
Australia, Britain and New Zealand have advised their citizens to stay away from the tourism-dependent former British colony. Troop request
They warned of dire social, economic and diplomatic consequences if the military completed its coup. Fiji has seen three coups in the past 20 years. The BBC's Phil Mercer in Suva says the military's action is certain to provoke widespread international condemnation.
Soldiers surrounded the home of Prime Minister Laisenia QaraseAustralia, Britain and New Zealand had advised their citizens to stay away and warned of dire social, economic and diplomatic consequences if the military completed its coup.
Fiji has seen three coups in the past 20 years.
Australian Prime Minister John Howard earlier condemned the situation in Fiji but said he had turned down a request from Mr Qarase to send troops to prevent a coup.
"The possibility of Australia and Fijian troops firing on each other in the streets of Suva was not a prospect that I for a moment thought desirable," Mr Howard said.
Are you in Fiji? Are you concerned about the current situation? Send us your comments and experiences.Are you in Fiji? Are you concerned about the current situation? Send us your comments and experiences.
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