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Coup leader is interim Premier

P. S. Suryanarayana

SINGAPORE: Fiji's military ruler Frank Bainimarama was on Friday sworn in as the interim Prime Minister. This will reinforce his hold on power though he has given up the President's post.

He was administered the oath of office at Suva, the Fijian capital, by Ratu Josefa Iloilo, whom Cmdr. Bainimarama reinstated as President on Thursday.

Cmdr. Bainimarama, still the military commander, has covered a full circle of junta power since he toppled Laisenia Qarase, an elected Prime Minister, in a bloodless coup a month ago.

Assuming plenipotentiary powers on December 5, the military chief had anointed himself President, dissolved Parliament, appointed a lame-duck interim Prime Minister, who now stepped aside; and promised elections. Mr. Iloilo set out a "mandate" for the new interim Prime Minister.

A key aspect was the facilitation of "legal protection and immunity, both criminal and civil, to the Commander [Cmdr. Bainimarama], officers and all members of the military".

Cmdr. Bainimarama was also asked to restore democracy "after an advanced electoral office and systems are in place".

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