Military not intend to stage coup: Fijian acting military chief

Fiji's Acting Military Commander Esala Telanion said Friday that the country's armed forces are not intending to conduct a coup.

He made the statements at a parade of 1,000 soldiers and reservists in Suva, capital of the Pacific country, Australian Associated Press reported.

"Let me reassure you and everyone ... we're not here to conduct a coup ..." he was quoted as saying.

"Forget it, we're not here for that," he added.

Meanwhile, Telanion told reporters that the military will continue to pressure the government to drop contentious legislation, including a bill that could forgive perpetrators of the 2000 coup.

"Pressuring doesn't mean using force," he noted.

He also met Fijian Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase Friday morning, but he did not say what they discussed.

Australia has deployed two warships to the area to evacuate Australians in the event of a coup, while Australian Prime Minister John Howard said Fiji's government had not asked Canberra for military assistance, according to local media reports.

The tension between Fiji's government and the military began three weeks ago after the country's military commander Frank Bainimarama threatened to force the government's resignation unless it dropped the controversial legislation.

The military chief, who is now visiting troops in the Middle East, said it would be a step backwards for the country if the government goes ahead with its legislative agenda.

Source: Xinhua