Military tightens grip on Fiji as police, PM's bodyguards disarmed
Afp, Suva
Fijian troops locked down the Pacific island nation's capital Monday, disarming police and government bodyguards and setting up roadblocks as the nation faced its fourth coup in two decades. Heavily-armed soldiers entered two police stations and seized weapons, and later also took those of bodyguards to Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase and his ministers after threatening to force them from office in a "peaceful transition" unless they agreed to step down. But rebellious military commander Voreqe Bainimarama declined to say if the actions marked the launch of a long-feared putsch to topple the government that he has branded corrupt, and against which he has waged a weeks-long stand-off. "I understand the weapons belonging to the bodyguards of the ministers and prime minister have been returned," Bainimarama told a press conference. He made no mention of whether he had taken control of government. He warned his forces would not tolerate any unrest.
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A soldier (L) carries rifles for loading into the back of a army truck in Suva yesterday as troops seized weapons from Fiji's only armed police unit sparking fears the military may have launched the Pacific island nation's fourth coup in two decades. PHOTO: AFP |
