Fiji's military chief Cmdr Frank Bainimarama has warned he will overthrow the government on Friday, unless his demands are met.
Fiji's military chief Cmdr Frank Bainimarama has warned he will overthrow the government on Friday, unless his demands are 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 it would be a "peaceful transition".
"I think it's about time we end this impasse," Cmdr Bainimarama told a press conference, adding that it would be a "peaceful transition".
Prime Minister Qarase had earlier appeared to back down by agreeing to suspend work on the laws, one of which would grant amnesties to those involved in a 2000 coup.
Prime Minister Qarase had earlier appeared to back down by agreeing to suspend work on the laws, one of which would grant amnesties to those involved in a 2000 coup.
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.
FIJI TENSIONS TIMELINE 2000 Brief coup put down by army chief Bainimarama12 July 2005 Cmdr Bainimarama warns he will topple government if it pardons jailed coup plotters13 July 2005 PM Laisenia Qarase says he will review law pardoning plotters17 May 2006 Mr Qarase wins re-election31 Oct Mr Qarase tries - and fails - to replace Cmdr Bainimarama as army chief4 November Mr Qarase says he will change law offering clemency to coup plotters7 November Military calls for police chief to quit30 November Mr Qarase offers "concessions" after meeting Cmdr Bainimarama30 November Cmdr Bainimarama warns of coup if demands not met
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," he was quoted as saying.
"I give him until tomorrow afternoon to comply with our demands or I will start the clean-up campaign," he was quoted as saying.
Cmdr Bainimarama said the government had until 1200 on Friday (0000GMT) to act.
Cmdr Bainimarama said the government had until 1200 on Friday (0000GMT) to act.
Intervention warning
Intervention warning
Australia warned that a coup could be seriously damaging for Fiji.
Australia warned that a coup could be seriously damaging for Fiji.
Cmdr Bainimarama appears unwilling to compromise
"Fiji risks international isolation if the military proceeds down this dangerous path," Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said.
"Fiji risks international isolation if the military proceeds down this dangerous path," Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said.
Australia is to host a meeting of Pacific Islands Forum foreign ministers on Friday, called at the request of Mr Qarase, where they are expected to discuss tensions in Fiji.
Australia is to host a meeting of Pacific Islands Forum foreign ministers on Friday, called at the request of Mr Qarase, where they are expected to discuss tensions in Fiji.
Cmdr Bainimarama appears unwilling to compromise
Under the so-called Biketawa Declaration, members of the Forum can come to another state's aid in times of unrest - if a government requests it.
Under the so-called Biketawa Declaration, members of the Forum can come to another state's aid in times of unrest - if a government requests it.
Cmdr Bainimarama has warned foreign countries against intervening in Fiji.
The military has warned foreign countries against intervening in Fiji.
Emergency supplies
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 met Prime Minister Qarase for talks in New Zealand on Wednesday but the two men appear divided over the outcome of the meeting.
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 the 2000 coup 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 the 2000 coup 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.
Are you in Fiji? What is the atmosphere like? Are you concerned about the possibility of a coup? Send us your comments and experiences.
