Military chief in control of government

Fiji’s military commander announced today he had taken control of the country from the elected government, confirming the South Pacific nation’s fourth coup in less than two decades.

“As of 6 o’clock this evening, the military has taken over the government, has executive authority and the running of this country,” Commodore Frank Bainimarama told a news conference.

Bainimarama said he had invoked special powers under the constitution to assume some powers of the president, and was using them to dismiss Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase from office and appoint an interim replacement.