Fiji's home affairs minister said Friday the size of the military will not be reduced as proposed in a Defence White Paper prepared for the government, according to local media.

According to The Fijilive, a local news service, Josefa Vosanibola has told parliament they cannot afford to reduce the numbers as the security of the nation and its citizens is of paramount importance.

The Defence White Paper has recommended cutting the size of the military by almost 50 percent from 3,300 to 1,700.

Radio New Zealand International reported the paper has recommended the cuts should come from the land force or infantry and force headquarters, leaving the army engineering regiment largely untouched.

The paper also strongly recommends that the government moves to reassert civilian control over the army.

It said its recommendations are designed to ensure that "there is no excuse for the military to enter domestic politics."

The military, which has long-haul feud with the Government, had warned of far reaching consequences for national security if the proposed Defence White Paper is implemented, adding that what is happening in Timor-Leste is a good example that Fiji should learn from.

Source: Xinhua