Opposition mounts to Fijian coup

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The military leaders of Fiji's coup are facing mounting opposition over their decision to depose the prime minister and his government.

Powerful tribal and church leaders are refusing to recognise the new regime, while ordinary Fijians have been urged to begin peaceful resistance.

The new PM conceded the coup was "illegal" but said it was better than what he called a corrupt government.

Jona Senilagakali has warned elections may be up to two years away.

Tuesday's military coup has angered the Great Council of Chiefs, a hugely influential body with the power to appoint the president and vice-president, on the advice of the government.

The Council's Chairman, Ratu Ovini Bokini, said its members still regarded Ratu Josefa Iloilo as president and described the military's removal of the vice-president as "illegal".

Coup leader Commodore Frank Bainimarama had hoped to get approval for an interim government next week, but council chiefs have cancelled the meeting in protest.

International condemnation

Fiji's Council of Churches - another key body in Fijian society - described the coup as the "manifestation of darkness and evil in society".

<a href="/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/769527.stm" class="">Profile of army chief</a> <a href="/1/hi/in_pictures/6209550.stm" class="">In pictures: Fiji coup</a> <a href="/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/6209644.stm" class="">Press reflects unease</a>

Its president, Tuikilakila Waqairatu, said on Tuesday the deposed Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase had the backing of the Christian community.

"We are supporting the rule of law and the democratically elected government," he said.

Fiji's new leadership is also facing international condemnation, with sanctions imposed by Australia and New Zealand and aid suspended by the US and UK.

Australia and New Zealand have urged Fijians to show passive resistance, while Laisenia Qarase has encouraged non-violent protests similar to those that took place outside his residence during the coup.

Text messages are reported to be circulating around the capital Suva encouraging people to wear black in protest at the coup.

'Divine authority'

Newly-installed Prime Minister Jona Senilagakali - a 77-year-old military doctor with no political experience - defended the coup leaders' actions.

Mr Senilagakali said elections could be as far as two years away

"It's an illegal takeover to clean up the mess of a much bigger illegal activity of the previous government," Mr Senilagakali said in an interview with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.

He said a general election was 12 months to two years away, when the new leadership determines the time is right.

And he suggested Fiji needed a different kind of democracy "from the type of democracy both Australia and New Zealand enjoys".

Cmdr Bainimarama later presented a softer message, saying "we do not deny that democracy is good for the people," but he added: "Democracy must not be used to hide corruption."

He is now inviting people to apply for positions in the new interim administration, and adverts are due to be posted in newspapers on Friday.

The coup, which took place on Tuesday, was the fourth in the former British colony in 20 years.

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, who make up about 44%.