Pressure builds for hostage release

Speight's supporters: 'No place in government'

The families of the 31 hostages being held at gunpoint in Fiji's parliament have met military commanders to discuss efforts being made to secure their release.

It is more than a month since an armed gang deposed the government of Mahendra Chaudhry, taking him and members of his administration captive.

After the meeting the families expressed optimism that a political solution to the crisis would be found saying they hoped their relatives would soon be freed.

However, a military spokesman said there are major obstacles to overcome before the marathon stand-off could be resolved.

Obstacles remain

The families arrived at the capital's main army base hoping to hear of progress in the negotiations between the military government, the tribal chiefs and the rebels.

Speight says Indians may have role in new government

But an army spokesman said there was still disagreement about who should be included in an interim civilian administration, and how long the military should retain executive authority before handing over to a new government.

The meeting between about 40 relatives of those imprisoned in the parliament buildings and senior commanders was organised by Prince Vyaas Laksman.

His brother, a Labour politician, is among the hostages.

Health problems

"We have gathered here to have a private discussion with the military authorities and to get all the assurances they can give us with regards to the welfare, safety of the families ... of the hostages inside the parliament complex and also to find out as to when all of them, all our loved ones, will be released," he said.

The army said it believed the 31 hostages were safe.

But other reports say that health problems among the captives are beginning to worsen.

On Monday, rebel leader George Speight indicated for the first time that he was willing to accept ethnic Indians into a new interim government.

Mr Speight has repeatedly said the country's large ethnic Indian population should be barred from politics.

New president

There are also reports that Mr Speight has agreed with the military on the choice for a new president.

George Speight: I've done my work

Mr Speight said they had decided on former vice president Ratu Josefa Iloilo.

The army has already said there will be no place for the rebel leader in the new government.

Mr Speight said he accepted he would not play a role, not because the military had said so, but because he felt his work was almost done.

He has submitted a list of approved candidates he would like to see sit on the new civilian government, saying they were committed to the cause of indigenous rights and would serve the country well.

Industry officials have warned that Fiji is on the verge of an economic crisis, with sugar cane rotting in the fields and tourists staying away since the coup.