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Qarase returns to Suva

WELLINGTON: Fiji's Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase on Saturday returned to the capital Suva, to meet the Vice-President, making further efforts to avoid a coup. Mr. Qarase chartered a plane on Friday to the neighbouring island of Vanua Levu, saying he was still in control of Fiji, said Fiji Times, a local daily newspaper. Army Chief Commodore Bainimarama called on Mr. Qarase and Government Ministers to come out of hiding, saying they would not be hurt in any way. Despite the passing of Friday's deadline for Mr. Qarase to meet his demands, Commodore Bainimarama is still promising a ``clean-up'' of the Government although there is confusion over whether he has set a new deadline for action. Suva was quiet on Saturday but with very few people in the street, and there is no increased military or police presence and no reports of any trouble.

— Xinhua

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