Fiji suspended from Commonwealth business

The Commonwealth Foreign Ministers, at their meeting in London also agreed to suspend Fiji from organisational meetings in protest at the overthrow of the elected government there.

They announced that they'll send a delegation to the country to press for the return of democratic rule.

As yet there's been no official reaction to the decision from Fiji's military rulers who've toughened their stance against the rebel leader, George Speight, since sanctions were first threatened on Sunday.

Even without punitive measures, the Fijian economy is already suffering.

An embargo by Australian trade unions has cut vital supplies to manufacturers and many in the tourist industry have lost their jobs.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service