State of emergency ends in Fiji

Mr Bainimarama has retained some powers to curb dissent

Fiji's military leader says he will lift a state of emergency which he imposed on the Pacific nation after seizing power in December 2006.

In a televised address, Commodore Frank Bainimarama said the order would end at midnight on Thursday (1200 GMT).

But other orders including media curbs and restrictions on public gatherings would remain in place, he said.

The Fijian leader has been under increasing international pressure to speed up the return to democracy.

Cmdr Bainimarama seized control of the country in a bloodless coup on 5 December 2006, taking power from elected Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase.

He accused Mr Qarase of corruption, and was angered by his plan to offer an amnesty to those responsible for a 2000 coup which he had helped put down.

'Regulations required'

Cmdr Bainimarama said that the regulations - which were extended several times - had been in place to ensure safety for civilians and their property.

"It was required to move the country forward peacefully," he said.

But he warned that those who threatened public order would still face police action.

His coup has faced opposition both at home and abroad, with economic, diplomatic and defence sanctions imposed by Australia, New Zealand, Britain and the United States.

The European Union had linked the provision of aid to an end to the state of emergency.

There is also intense pressure on Cmdr Bainimarama to set a timetable for a quick return to democracy.

The military leader says he will hold general elections, but not until around 2010. He says a population census needs to be completed first.