13 Jan 2006

Fiji government to comment on stand-off with military

4:14 pm on 13 January 2006

The Fiji government is expected to make a full statement later today on its standoff with the military during which Commodore Bainimarama threatened to take over government.

Radio Legend reports that the statement will follow a meeting between the prime minister, Laisenia Qarase, and the home affairs minister, Josefa Vosanibola, with the acting president and commander-in-chief of Fiji, Ratu Joni Madraiwiwi, in Suva.

Mr Vosanibola has confirmed the decision on the military's threat to remove the government will be included in the statement.

Meanwhile, the military has not commented on yesterday's meeting between Commodore Bainimarama and his senior officers but has denied unconfirmed reports that he was asked to step down.

The police commissioner, Andrew Hughes, says he was assured by the military that there was never any threat to national security.

Mr Hughes says when police became aware of increased security at military bases across Fiji, police response units were placed on standby while the situation was monitored.

But based on reliable advice from the military police response units have now resumed normal duties and the situation across Fiji remains calm.