Soldiers leave Suva barracks

Published: 6:32AM Monday December 04, 2006 Source: One News/Newstalk ZB

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Several trucks full of soldiers left Suva's main military barracks on Monday morning as Fiji braced for a possible coup.

However, there was no immediate confirmation that the troop movement was related to the takeover of the government threatened by military commander Commodore Frank Bainimarama.

The trucks headed north, away from Suva.

Military sources said the troops were going to a training camp.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase was at work in his office in central Suva. Qarase said earlier it would be business as usual for him and he had a conference to open on Monday.

Claims by Bainimarama that the military is in control of the country have been dismissed by the prime minister who says he and his cabinet are properly elected and will continue to run the country.

Bainimarama told Fijians they have nothing to fear when his troops do take control.

But on Sunday night he rejected reports in one Fiji newspaper that the coup would happen at 3am Monday local time.

Bainimarama says the military would never reveal details of its operation in advance but if the prime minister did not resign the military would "find ways" of making him.

He says the military will then appoint an interim government.

Bainimarama says if prime minister opposes the military, he will be sent to the prison on Nukulau Island, where George Speight, the leader of the 2000 coup, is serving a life sentence for treason.

In a bizarre statement on Sunday, Bainimarama asked for people to apply if they want to be part of his interim government and that goes for the prime minister's job.

Fiji's president Ratu Josef Iloilo is due to make a statement to the country on Monday morning and it is believed the military would not act until afterwards.

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