18 Mar 2008

Fiji president acted under reserve powers during coup, says state lawyer

4:36 pm on 18 March 2008

Fiji's interim government's lawyers have told the High Court in Suva that the situation in December 2006 demanded that the president act under his reserved powers.

Guy Reynolds made the statement in his closing submissions in the case brought by the ousted prime minister, Laisenia Qarase, on the overthrow of his government.

Our correspondent Matelita Ragogo says Mr Reynolds reiterated to the court that reserve power is not reviewable by the court.

"Reynolds told the court that reserve powers are the most fundamental of all prerogative powers. He submitted that extraordinary powers can also cover illegal acts and added that the panel of judges would find themselves in an impossible situation because while the courts can determine what's legal and what's illegal they can not go into qualifications of these points."

The case continues.