Power struggle in Fiji

Shops were looted in the capital

A dusk-to-dawn curfew has been imposed in the Fijian capital as security forces try to quell an attempted coup.

Gunmen block access to parliament

Armed men are continuing to hold the Fijian prime minister hostage in the parliament building.

President Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara has declared the coup illegal and announced a state of emergency.

About 300 troops were deployed overnight in the capital Suva, but there was no indication that the soldiers were moving to end the hostage stand-off in parliament.

We [have] set foundations for change once and for all in the affairs of Fiji

George Speight

Coup leader George Speight, a local businessman, said he was acting in the name of indigenous Fijians against a government dominated by politicians of Indian ethnic origin.

Divisions between indigenous Fijians and Indians have dominated the country's politics. In 1987, Colonel Sitiveni Rabuka led a coup against what he described as an Indian-dominated government.

Hostages

In the latest uprising, seven armed men took over parliament on Friday. They are holding Fiji's first ethnic Indian Prime Minister, Mahendra Chaudry, and seven cabinet ministers. The prime minister is said to be locked in an office in the upper floor of the building.

George Speight: Coup for indigenous Fijians

New Zealand Foreign Minister Phil Goff said he believed the gunmen had taken hostage all government ministers except three who had been absent, and at least 44 MPs.

Mr Speight has already named Ratu Timoci Silatolu, an MP for the Fijian Association Party, as interim prime minister.

Two other indigenous politicians have been appointed home affairs minister and Fijian affairs minister.

It is thought a small group of men carrying AK 47 rifles used a demonstration as cover to storm the government building.

Fiji facts

1970: Independence

1987: Two coups leave Colonel Sitiveni Rabuka in charge

1987: Republic declared, expelled from Commonwealth

1990: New constitution guarantees parliamentary majority for indigenous Fijians

1998: Constitution changed to remove guaranteed majority

1999: Rabuka loses election and Chandhry takes over

Diplomatic sources in New Zealand and Australia say shots were fired during the takeover, but there are no reports of casualties.

Businesses in Suva shut their doors as looting broke out. Schools were also closed.

A curfew was in force from 7pm local time (0700 GMT) on Friday.

However, gangs of young men continued to roam the streets of the capital.

A heavy pall of smoke hung over the town, as fires lit by the looters still smouldered. hundreds of shops, mainly those owned by Indians and Asians were smashed up, and glass littered the streets.

On the main road leading into the town, police backed up by the military have set up road blocks.

The Fijilive website, quoting the president, said: "Two battalions have been deployed around the country to assist police curb violence."

The site said army reservists had been asked to report for duty and to bring clothes and personal belongings "to last them at least 21 days".

Divisions

Mr Chaudhry's government was elected under a non-racial constitution a year ago to the day.

Police attempted to restore order on the streets

But his administration has been accused of aggravating racial divisions between the majority Fijian community and ethnic Indians.

Fijian nationalist groups have recently held street protests vowing to topple the government.

Mr Speight read a statement to reporters saying he was claiming executive power over Fiji and revoking the constitution.

"We [have] set foundations for change once and for all in the affairs of the country of Fiji as desired by the indigenous people," he said.

"Now, they will be able to achieve self-determination and control the future destiny in all matters pertaining to their livelihood."