Ex-PM says Fiji could reject coup

Army chief Bainimarama ousted Mr Qarase on Tuesday

The ousted prime minister of Fiji has warned that public anger at the military takeover of the country could force the new rulers to step down.

Laisenia Qarase said he aimed to be part of a peaceful campaign to restore civilian government to Fiji.

Church and tribal leaders have said they oppose the coup, although there have been no major demonstrations.

Fiji could face international censure on Friday when the Commonwealth debates a motion to suspend its membership.

Military chief Commodore Frank Bainimarama ousted Mr Qarase after accusing his government of corruption.

Fijians 'angry'

FIJI TENSIONS TIMELINE 2000: Brief coup put down by army chief Bainimarama July 2005: Bainimarama warns he will topple government if it pardons jailed coup plotters May 2006: PM Laisenia Qarase wins re-election 31 Oct: Qarase tries - and fails - to replace Bainimarama November: Qarase says he will change law offering clemency to coup plotters - Bainimarama warns of coup 5 Dec: Military declares coup Fiji voices: Coup impact Fears for future History of coups

Mr Qarase was ordered to return to his home on a remote Fijian island when the military seized power.

Speaking to Fijian radio, he insisted he remained the legitimate leader of the country.

"There is only one legal authority in the country at this time and that is the democratically elected government which I lead," he said.

There could soon be major public demonstrations against the new rulers, Mr Qarase said.

He insisted that many Fijians felt increasingly angry and disappointed at what Mr Bainimarama had done.

The new prime minister, Jona Senilagakali has conceded that the coup was "illegal", but has warned elections may be up to two years away.

Opposition

But Tuesday's coup has angered the Great Council of Chiefs, a hugely influential body with the power to appoint the president and vice-president, on the advice of the government.

The deposed prime minister has urged peaceful protest

The Associated Press reported that the council would convene a meeting within the next few days to decide on its reaction to the coup.

Fiji's Council of Churches - another key body in Fijian society - has described the coup as the "manifestation of darkness and evil in society".

Its president, Tuikilakila Waqairatu, said on Tuesday the deposed Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase had the backing of the Christian community.

International fallout

The BBC's Phil Mercer, in Suva, says Fiji is likely to be punished by the ministerial committee of the Commonwealth at a meeting in London on Friday.

The organisation also suspended Fiji after coups in 1987 and 2000, but the country was later reinstated.

Australia has already imposed sanctions, but its prime minister, John Howard, defended his decision not to send troops to Fiji.

"I didn't want the horror of Australian and Fijian troops firing at each other in the streets of Suva," he said.

The recent coup was the fourth in the former British colony in 20 years.

Fiji has a population of only 900,000 but is a major tourist destination and attracts up to 400,000 visitors a year.

It has also witnessed considerable political tension over the past 20 years between ethnic Fijians, who make up about 50% of the population, and ethnic Indians, who make up about 44%.