Pacific Islands Forum immediate past chair expresses concern over Fiji's situation

Immediate past Pacific Islands Forum Chair and Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea Michael Somare on Thursday expressed concern over Fiji's situation in light of the heightened political tensions which have developed in recent days.

"We have just completed a very successful and significant Pacific Islands Forum Leaders meeting in Fiji, at which we discussed a range of issues related to the mutual support, we in the region need to give one another," Somare said in a statement issued by the forum's secretariat.

"We look forward to Fiji's leadership, as Chair of the Forum, and greatly hope that the legitimately elected government of Fiji will be in no way impeded from carrying out that role," he said.

He vowed to support the efforts of Fiji's legitimate government.

Somare's statements came amid rising tensions between the Fijian government and the military, which started three weeks ago after Frank Bainimarama, the country's military commander, threatened to force the government's resignation unless it dropped two pieces of legislation.

Two Australian warships were put on standby Tuesday night to sail to Fiji to assist with any evacuation of Australians in the event of a coup after Fijian Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase sought the dismissal of Bainimarama, who is visiting troops in the Middle East.

Qarase said Wednesday that he will not resign in the face of military threats to oust him.

Source: Xinhua