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Fiji army head sets coup deadline Fiji army head sets coup deadline
(10 minutes later)
Fiji's military chief Cmdr Frank Bainimarama has warned he will overthrow the government on Friday afternoon if his demands are not met.Fiji's military chief Cmdr Frank Bainimarama has warned he will overthrow the government on Friday afternoon if his demands are not met.
Cmdr Bainimarama accused Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase of stalling on a pledge to scrap controversial legislation.Cmdr Bainimarama accused Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase of stalling on a pledge to scrap controversial legislation.
Fiji has been tense for weeks amid a stand-off between the two men.Fiji has been tense for weeks amid a stand-off between the two men.
"I think it's about time we end this impasse," Cmdr Bainimarama told a press conference, adding that the "transition" would be "peaceful"."I think it's about time we end this impasse," Cmdr Bainimarama told a press conference, adding that the "transition" would be "peaceful".
Prime Minister Qarase had earlier appeared to back down by agreeing to suspend work on the laws.Prime Minister Qarase had earlier appeared to back down by agreeing to suspend work on the laws.
He also hinted that possible sedition charges against Cmdr Bainimarama could be dropped, and Fiji's police chief's work contract might not be renewed when it expired.He also hinted that possible sedition charges against Cmdr Bainimarama could be dropped, and Fiji's police chief's work contract might not be renewed when it expired.
But Cmdr Bainimarama - who wants the police chief removed immediately - appeared to reject the concessions at a press conference.But Cmdr Bainimarama - who wants the police chief removed immediately - appeared to reject the concessions at a press conference.
Cmdr Bainimarama reiterated his ultimatum and said that unless the government met all of the army's demands fully, all cabinet ministers and advisers should resign.Cmdr Bainimarama reiterated his ultimatum and said that unless the government met all of the army's demands fully, all cabinet ministers and advisers should resign.
"I give him until tomorrow afternoon to comply with our demands or I will start the clean-up campaign," the Reuters news agency quotes him as saying."I give him until tomorrow afternoon to comply with our demands or I will start the clean-up campaign," the Reuters news agency quotes him as saying.
Emergency suppliesEmergency supplies
Cmdr Bainimarama met Prime Minister Qarase held talks in New Zealand on Wednesday but the two men appear divided over the outcome of the meeting. Cmdr Bainimarama met Prime Minister Qarase for talks in New Zealand on Wednesday but the two men appear divided over the outcome of the meeting.
Cmdr Bainimarama appears unwilling to compromiseCmdr Bainimarama appears unwilling to compromise
Mr Qarase said he was prepared to review - and eventually abandon - the laws that have provoked Cmdr Bainimarama.Mr Qarase said he was prepared to review - and eventually abandon - the laws that have provoked Cmdr Bainimarama.
But the military chief dismissed the meeting as a "failure" and questioned Mr Qarase's readiness to act on his pledge.But the military chief dismissed the meeting as a "failure" and questioned Mr Qarase's readiness to act on his pledge.
Cmdr Bainimarama objects to legislation put forward by the prime minister that offers a pardon to people involved in a coup six years ago and allocates the ownership of coastal land to ethnic Fijians.Cmdr Bainimarama objects to legislation put forward by the prime minister that offers a pardon to people involved in a coup six years ago and allocates the ownership of coastal land to ethnic Fijians.
The current military chief was a target of the 2000 coup, a short-lived attempt to install a government of ethnic Fijians.The current military chief was a target of the 2000 coup, a short-lived attempt to install a government of ethnic Fijians.
Fijians have been buying emergency supplies of food and withdrawing money from banks amid fears a military coup could bring chaos and closures.Fijians have been buying emergency supplies of food and withdrawing money from banks amid fears a military coup could bring chaos and closures.
On Wednesday, the military performed overnight exercises in the capital, Suva, stoking speculation that a coup was imminent.On Wednesday, the military performed overnight exercises in the capital, Suva, stoking speculation that a coup was imminent.

Are you in Fiji? What is the atmosphere like? Are you concerned about the possibility of a coup? Send us your comments and experiences.
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