Fiji's military commander said Tuesday that he had seized control of the country, dismissed the elected prime minister and appointed an interim replacement. Commodore Frank Bainimarama told a news conference that he was using special powers under the constitution to assume the powers of the president and replace Premier Laisenia Qarase. He said he would soon surrender the powers back to President Ratu Josefa Iloilo, who he expected would appoint a full interim government. Elections to restore democracy would follow, he said. The announcement came after armed troops surrounded Qarase's house, set up checkpoints in the capital, Suva, and seized official vehicles from government ministers. The Associated Press quoted Qarase as saying that he was under effective house arrest, and that he was powerless to stop the military takeover.
