Fiji's President, Ratu Josefa Iloilo, has abrogated the 1997 Constitution and appointed himself the Head of State.
The Fiji Times online says in an address to the nation at 11.30 this morning, he revoked all judicial appointments and announced that all existing laws remain.
He said he would appoint an interim government to rule for the next five years to implement the necessary reforms required for true democratic and parliamentary elections.
Ratu Josefa assured that he had the full backing of the country's security forces and he directed military commander Commodore Frank Bainimarama to to take all reasonable steps to ensure the maintenance of peace.
The President further explained that the five years was necessary in order for the interim government, which he would appoint over the next few days, to implement the reforms he had endorsed in the People's Charter for Peace, Change and Progress.
