Political Unrest

Fiji military commander stages coup

(05 December 2006)

Fiji's military chief has announced he has taken over the country.

Commander Frank Bainimarama said on Fijian TV that he had dismissed elected prime minister Laisenia Qarase.

According to Qarase, troops have blockaded his home, leaving him under house arrest.

This follows weeks of unrest, with Bainimarama accusing the prime minister of corruption and of being incapable of leading the country.

Bainimarama had been angered by Qarase's proposals to offer an amnesty to those involved in the 2000 coup, which Bainimarama had helped put down.

The British Foreign and Commonwealth Office continues to advise against all but essential travel to Fiji.