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Friday's coup deadline in Fiji has been extended over the weekend as the fragile affairs of state came second to the Pacific nation's love of rugby.
Intersports rivalry between the police and military put the coup on hold, but off the sports field the threat is still very real.
Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase spoke on radio in Fiji, saying the deadline which was supposed to expire at 1pm NZT Friday has now been extended to midday Monday.
Qarase says that will continue the anxiety and fear that exists in the country at the moment and he hopes military chief Commodore Frank Bainimarama will accept the very generous offer the government has made and put this whole matter behind them.
Qarase has gone into hiding, away from the capital Suva, with he and his Cabinet deciding to remain apart until the tension dies down.
The prime minister has declared he is still in control and so is the government even though Bainimarama's midday deadline to meet demands or relinquish control has long since passed.
The Commodore had been attending the annual rugby match between the military and the police and was planning to hold an after match party at Queen Elizabeth Barracks.
Qarase's claim that the deadline for the demands has been extended until Monday is expected to be clarified, probably denied, by the military.
Bainimarama on Thursday night warned he would remove the
government if Qarase did not meet a list of demands by 1pm NZT on
Friday.
Qarase on Thursday offered several concessions to the military but
Bainimarama said they did not go far enough.
In the meantime, the army and police squared off on the rugby field
in Suva on Friday afternoon - with the police side looking to
defend its title - and Bainimarama watching his men play.
Despite the relaxed aftrenoon Bainimarama is so far not backing down on his plans to take over control of the country.
Earlier in the day, he met with the president and vice president to brief them of his plans. The meeting was held behind closed doors with no announcement of what was discussed.
In Suva School students were let out early while their parents stocked up on cash.
Government offices shut early and the University of the South Pacific announced it was closing down for the day for security reasons.
Edward Danitofea, a Solomon Islands student in Fiji says he is worried because he is not from Fiji. "So we fear for our life."
Others say a full blown coup is unlikely because there are divisions amongst the military.
Political analyst Sitiveni Rituva says while the commander may be talking about a coup, he does not have the mechanism as he does not have the support within the military itself.
But the high level of security around the capital said otherwise with police out in force. The military too made its presence known.
Bainimarama's demands include the dropping of contentious legislation, the resignation or removal of Fiji Police Commissioner, Australian Andrew Hughes, and the dropping of police investigations into whether his threats against the government were seditious.
Region encourages peace
Meanwhile, Qarase and Bainimarama will be encouraged to meet next week to head off the prospect of a coup.
Foreign Ministers from 14 Pacific Nations have met together in Sydney vowing to bring them together for a peaceful solution.
New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters the meeting also
disputed suggestions of military intervention in Fiji, saying that
won't happen.
And Australia's Foreign Minister Alexander Downer says
there still could be a peaceful resolution.
"Risking a lot"
Prime Minister Helen Clark says Bainimarama is risking a lot for his country and himself if he enforces his proposed coup.
Clark says the Fiji military leader was very well thought of
after the 2000 coup.
She says his coup threat doesn't make any sense and there is still
time for him to think again.
