Fiji's Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase, in a touching address Tuesday, appealed the people of this South Pacific nation to save the law and country.

Qarase, who is under house arrest by the soldiers, said that any military takeover of the elected Government would be unlawful, and those responsible would bear the consequences.

"Worse still, the consequences to Fiji's economy would be catastrophic," said Qarase.

He said the President, Ratu Josefa Iloilo, who earlier claimed "neither condones nor supports" the army's actions, had wanted him either to totally accept the demands of the military, or to resign.

Qarase said the intention is to bring to a standstill the functioning of the elected Government.

He said that "under no circumstances will I resign as Prime Minister.

The embattled Qarase also warned that anyone who is a party to the illegal overthrow of the Government would be guilty of treason.

He called the members of the public to "come out and express your support for the rule of law and democracy."

"In this hour, it is never too late to speak out with one voice, to save our country from economic calamity and ruin," said Qarase.

Source: Xinhua