Fiji rebels run riot

The army is maintaining tight security in Suva

Armed supporters of Fiji rebel leader George Speight have rampaged through the capital, Suva, setting a restaurant ablaze.

Soldiers said about 100 Speight supporters armed with machetes poured from the compound where 31 hostages - including the country's first ethnic Indian prime minister - are still being held at gunpoint.

Rebels have already killed a policeman and previously ransacked the local TV station. Earlier this week they also exchanged gunfire with government soldiers.

The latest violence came after Mr Speight - who led the overthrow of parliament three weeks ago seeking the restoration of indigenous Fijian rule - said he had the support of an important delegation of tribal chiefs.

Burnt to the ground: Suva harbour's Lighthouse Cafe

Fijian military spokesman Colonel Filipo Tarakinakina said the mob had apparently been heading for Suva's central police station seeking to release supporters of the hostage-takers.

He said they were turned away by the army at a police roadblock, prompting a stand-off but no fighting.

"They tried to take over the police post but could not succeed, because reinforcements were sent in on time," Colonel Tarakinakina said.

The mob then looted and set fire to a seafront restaurant near parliament, totally destroying it.

The BBC's Phil Mercer in Fiji says it is unclear if the rebels' violent excursions are authorised by Mr Speight.

Interim nomination

Mr Speight's claim of tribal support came after a second day of talks with chiefs from the western side of the main island of Viti Levu, the country's most powerful economic area.

But the leader of the coup attempt again ruled out releasing the hostages until his demands are met.

After Saturday's meeting, Mr Speight agreed to the tribal chiefs' nomination of former Vice President Ratu Josefa Iloilo to be Fiji's next civilian president.

The military government of Commodore Frank Bainimarama, which took power and imposed martial law last month, said it had rejected appeals by the tribal chiefs to step aside in favour of civilian rule.

Mr Bainimarama says he is attempting to negotiate the release of the hostages.

Presidential comeback?

In a separate development, the Fiji Sun newspaper has reported that former President Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara was ready to return to office as soon as the military authorities restore order.

Mr Mara, 80, stepped down and fled to the remote Lau Islands after the Fijian military seized power.

"Ratu Mara will be back as president as soon as the situation cools down," one of the leading traditional chiefs, Ratu Sairusi Nagagavoka, was quoted as saying.

Commonwealth visit

A delegation of Commonwealth ministers will meet with Fiji's military government on 16 June, a military spokesman said on Saturday.

The delegation is expected to include the foreign ministers of Australia and New Zealand, who are currently visiting another regional hot spot - the Solomon Islands.

Commonwealth foreign ministers suspended Fiji from the grouping's decision-making councils on Tuesday.

Economy hit

The tribal chiefs, who Mr Speight says support him, have said the coup is damaging Fiji's economy and called for an end to the country's political crisis.

Fijian government economists believe the crisis will result in a loss of $100m in revenue while unemployment could rise by up to 20%.

A trade embargo imposed by Australian trade unions has cut supply lines to one of Fiji's most important sectors, the garment industry.