Reuters AlertNet Lite - Fiji parliament dissolved, says New Zealand PM

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Fiji parliament dissolved, says New Zealand PM

05 Dec 2006 01:30:30 GMT
Source: Reuters

WELLINGTON, Dec 5 (Reuters) - Fiji's president had dissolved parliament and sanctioned the removal of Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase, New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark said on Tuesday.

"I have been advised this morning that the president of Fiji has acted outside his constitutional powers and supported the removal of the democratic prime minister by the military," Clark said in a statement to the New Zealand parliament.

Military commander Frank Bainimarama has repeatedly threatened to topple Qarase's government, which won a second five-year term in May, claiming it is corrupt.

Heavily armed troops set up roadblocks throughout Suva on Monday, including around Qarase's office, and other towns like Nadi, the tourism hub in the west of the main island of Viti Levu. Qarase was left isolated in his Suva residence on Tuesday when troops surrounded his home.

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Last updated:Tue Dec 5 01:32:36 2006