Fiji's President Ratu Josefa Iloilo has said he "neither condones nor supports" the actions taken by the army Tuesday.

In a statement from Government House a short while ago, Ratu Josefa said the actions by the military were "clearly outside the Constitution, contrary to the rule of law and our democratic ideals."

A Fiji media exclusively reported earlier Tuesday the President was believed to have signed a legal order dissolving Parliament, paving the way for the formation of an interim administration.

Prime Minister Qarase also admitted he had been urged by President to give in to the army's demands or quit.

Qarase said he can't do what the President has asked him to do.

In his statement, Ratu Josefa denied he is to dissolve the Parliament, adding the military had acted contrary to his wishes that solution to the impasse be found within the boundaries of the law.

He said he would remain in office "to preserve some semblance of continuity while keeping the situation under review."

Ratu Josefa has also appealed for calm.

Ratu Josefa Iloilo has been the President of Fiji since 2000. The statement is the first since the army chief took recent actions against the Prime Minister.

Source: Xinhua