"Unconstitutional" Fijian government rejects ruling

The High Court in Fiji has ruled that the government of the deposed prime minister, Mahendra Chaudhry, is still the legal authority in the country.

But the interim administration put in place following a coup by ethnic Fijian rebels in May says it will appeal against the ruling.

It says the ruling will be set aside temporarily while the appeal is being considered.

The High Court judge Anthony Gates called on the deposed President, Sir Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara, to recall parliament and reinstate Mr Chaudhry who was among the hostages held by the rebels for two months.

Mr Chaudhry told the BBC that the interim government would face international rejection if it fails to abide by the ruling.

The Prime Minister of New Zealand Helen Clark said the ruling was a signal for Fiji to speed up its return to constitutional democracy.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service