Fiji: High tensions on deadline day

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Source: CCTV.com | 12-04-2006 09:25

Over in Fiji, tensions are high on Monday as nervous citizens wait to see whether the country's military commander will act on a threat to remove the embattled government.

Earlier, a local newspaper had reported the capital of Suva was expected to be sealed by military roadblocks early on Monday. The paper also had predicted Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase's government would be dismissed after the military took action.

This, after Military chief Commander Frank Bainimarama had threatened to stage a coup demanding Qarase to resign. He set a deadline of noon on last Friday for the government to step down. But troops have stayed in their barracks since the deadline passed.

Within the last few hours local Fiji television is reporting that Fijian soldiers took over a police tactical response unit's headquarters on the outskirts of the capital of Suva on Monday. But no shots were fired.

Editor:Du Xiaodan