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Fiji to impose state of emergency Fiji imposes state of emergency
(about 2 hours later)
A state of emergency is to be declared on the South Pacific island state of Fiji, as the military tightens its grip a day after a bloodless coup. A state of emergency has been declared on the South Pacific island state of Fiji, as the military tightens its grip a day after a bloodless coup.
The deposed prime minister has flown back to his home on an outlying island at the request of the military.
The military has dissolved parliament, occupied government buildings and imposed checkpoints across the capital.The military has dissolved parliament, occupied government buildings and imposed checkpoints across the capital.
"The military will suppress very quickly any uprising against us," said coup leader Cmdr Frank Bainimarama.
The coup, the fourth in two decades in the Fijian archipelago, was condemned by the international community.The coup, the fourth in two decades in the Fijian archipelago, was condemned by the international community.
The UN secretary general has demanded that the government be restored and both the UK and US have suspended aid.The UN secretary general has demanded that the government be restored and both the UK and US have suspended aid.
The BBC's Phil Mercer, in Suva, says that a state of emergency would give military chief Commodore Frank Bainimarama the right to impose curfews, multiply checkpoints and call on army reservists. The BBC's Phil Mercer, in Suva, says that a state of emergency will give military chief Cmdr Bainimarama the right to impose curfews, multiply checkpoints and call on army reservists.
Deposed Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase has called on Fijians to peacefully oppose the coup.Deposed Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase has called on Fijians to peacefully oppose the coup.
"I believe there will be a peaceful reaction by thousands and thousands in the next few days," Mr Qarase told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation before leaving for the remote island of Lau. "I believe there will be a peaceful reaction by thousands and thousands in the next few days," Mr Qarase told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation before leaving for his home village on the remote Lau islands, at the request of the military.
"Qarase and his cronies are not coming back," said Cmdr Bainimarama.
Media controlMedia control
Scores of protesters gathered outside the deposed prime minister's home in the capital, praying and singing hymns under the eye of the soldiers.Scores of protesters gathered outside the deposed prime minister's home in the capital, praying and singing hymns under the eye of the soldiers.
I urge all citizens to remain calm, and maintain the peace that currently prevails Cmdr Bainimarama Profile of army chief In pictures: Fiji coup Press reflects uneaseI urge all citizens to remain calm, and maintain the peace that currently prevails Cmdr Bainimarama Profile of army chief In pictures: Fiji coup Press reflects unease
Cmdr Bainimarama, who led the coup, has accused the prime minister of corruption and leading Fiji on a path of doom. Cmdr Bainimarama has accused the prime minister of corruption and leading Fiji on a path of doom.
The two have long been in dispute, largely over the commodore's opposition to a proposed amnesty for those responsible for a 2000 coup he helped put down.The two have long been in dispute, largely over the commodore's opposition to a proposed amnesty for those responsible for a 2000 coup he helped put down.
Soldiers have been stationed around local media offices to ensure that no statements by the deposed prime minister were broadcast, Reuters reports.Soldiers have been stationed around local media offices to ensure that no statements by the deposed prime minister were broadcast, Reuters reports.
Our correspondent says that despite the coup and the increased presence of soldiers and checkpoints, the situation is calm.Our correspondent says that despite the coup and the increased presence of soldiers and checkpoints, the situation is calm.
Ethnic tensionsEthnic tensions
Cmdr Bainimarama named a doctor, Jona Senilagakali, as caretaker prime minister, and said that next week he would ask the Great Council of Chiefs to restore executive powers to President Ratu Josefa Iloilo.Cmdr Bainimarama named a doctor, Jona Senilagakali, as caretaker prime minister, and said that next week he would ask the Great Council of Chiefs to restore executive powers to President Ratu Josefa Iloilo.
The president would then appoint an interim government and elections would follow at an unspecified date, the military chief said.The president would then appoint an interim government and elections would follow at an unspecified date, the military chief said.
The Commonwealth nations have said suspension from the group is highly likely.The Commonwealth nations have said suspension from the group is highly likely.
Fiji has a population of only 900,000 but is a major tourist destination and attracts up to 400,000 visitors a year.Fiji has a population of only 900,000 but is a major tourist destination and attracts up to 400,000 visitors a year.
It has also witnessed considerable political tension over the past 20 years between ethnic Fijians, who make up about 50% of the population and ethnic Indians at around 44%.It has also witnessed considerable political tension over the past 20 years between ethnic Fijians, who make up about 50% of the population and ethnic Indians at around 44%.