3 Sep 2007

Ousted Fiji PM forgives those who overthrew his government

6:13 am on 3 September 2007

Fiji's deposed Prime Minister, Laisenia Qarase, says he has forgiven all those who have acted against him.

Mr Qarase made this statement after arriving in Suva over the weekend.

It is nine months since he returned to his island home in Lau, after being ousted during the coup last December.

Up until recently, Mr Qarase has been prevented from returning to Suva.

Mr Qarase said it was important that "sooner rather then later" there was a definite move towards democracy.

He told Fiji Live that he was willing to work with the interim administration led by military commander and current interim Prime Minister Commodore, Frank Bainimarama, to return the country to democratic rule.

Commodore Bainimarama says he will consider Mr Qarase's offer of assistance if the former Prime Minister is "serious" about getting the country back to democracy.