26 Apr 2007

Fiji's deposed prime minister files court motion as backup

2:21 pm on 26 April 2007

Fiji's deposed prime minister, Laisenia Qarase, says he has filed a court motion to get his travel ban lifted in case the interim regime does not end the emergency regulations the country is operating under.

The interim administration had made a commitment to the European Union that it would lift the emergency decree in May but a military spokesman has since said it would only occur subject to a review of any threat to national security.

Mr Qarase says he hopes the interim regime accepts the E.U. requirements because the economy is in a dive and aid from the E.U. is needed.

He says he's hopeful the emergency decree will be ended.

"If that is lifted, then I assume that there is no restriction on the movement of anybody in Fiji but in the meantime, I thought that we should file this court request really for the court to give a directive that there should be no restriction on my movement, just in case the emergency regulations are not lifted."

Laisenia Qarase.