Fiji's newly-appointed Prime Minister Baravilala Senilagakali
Thursday told Australia not to interfere in the affairs of the
South Pacific country.
Senilagakali was appointed as prime minister Wednesday by Fiji's
coup leader, Military commander Frank Bainimarama, who has
appointed himself as the president following Tuesday's coup.
Senilagakali told Australian Broadcasting Corporation radio that
he hopes a democratic election can be held in Fiji, but adds that
military rule might continue for years.
He said he would prefer it if Australia and New Zealand just
left Fiji alone to solve its own problems.
"It's an internal problem of Fiji, and I'm asking both Australia
and New Zealand to respect the sovereignty of Fiji," he said.
"My advice is leave us alone please," he said.
Meanwhile, Bainimarama announced a state of emergency in Fiji
after swearing in the caretaker prime minister and sacking Fiji's
acting police commissioner.
However, the military chief said the planned appointment of a
caretaker government "is now put on hold" because the Great Council
of Chiefs, the influential group of tribal leaders who appoint the
president, said they had canceled a scheduled meeting next
week.
(Xinhua News Agency December 7, 2006)
