5 Feb 2008

Ousted Fiji PM Qarase invited as speaker in first post-coup engagement

2:20 pm on 5 February 2008

A public forum that includes the ousted Fiji prime minister Laisenia Qarase as speaker will be closely monitored by police.

Fiji Live online says it's believed to be Mr Qarase's first public appearance since he was ousted from power by the military in 2006.

The forum in Suva will also include the former Supervisor of Elections speaking on the topic 'Elections 2009 - What it will mean for Fiji?'

After indicating last night that police would intervene in the meeting, the Police Commissioner Commodore Esala Teleni told Fiji Live today that police will only monitor the people going in.

The military banned Mr Qarase from Suva until last September and then briefly re-introduced emergency rule to gag him.