10 Dec 2010

Fiji's Bainimarama says no need to panic as marches banned

9:42 am on 10 December 2010

Fiji's interim prime minister, Commodore Frank Bainimarama, says planned public marches have been cancelled and there is no need for people to panic.

Commodore Bainimarama has told FBC News that the nation's security remains intact.

He says the cancellation of public marches is just a precautionary measure.

The permanent secretary for information Sharon Smith-Johns says the cancellation of the annual Coalition of Human Rights march in Suva is unfortunate.

She says the measure was taken because the American Embassy decided to advise US citizens of the possibility of violence and unrest based on a blog.