Fiji's army commander Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama has Tuesday taken over the government and executive authority in the South Pacific nation's fourth coup in nearly 20 years.

Bainimarama made the announcement at a press conference held in Suva, capital of Fiji, saying as of 6 p.m. local time (0600 GMT), "the military has taken over the government, has executive authority and the running of this country."

The move comes after President Ratu Josefa Iloilo had called for him to find a legal solution to the crisis and the refusal of Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase to resign.

In an address issued one hour before army chief takeover, Qarase, who is under house arrest, said any military takeover of the elected government would be unlawful, and those responsible would bear the consequences.

Bainimarama, who has announced an end of Qarase's government, said he had assumed the powers of the president, and was using them to dismiss Qarase from office and appoint an interim government.

He said the 1997 Constitution remained intact.

"The constitution will remain in place except those parts as necessitated under the doctrine of necessity," said Bainimarama.

He maintained that while he was in control he would ask the Great Council of Chiefs meeting to appoint Ratu Josefa Iloilo as President at its next meeting.

Bainimarama said Jona Senilagakali will be caretaker Prime Minister until an interim administration is appointed.

Bainimarama said the takeover was "not permanent".

The commander urged all Cabinet ministers in the Qarase government to resign within a month.

Tension has been rising for weeks in Fiji amid a stand-off between the army chief and the prime minister.

Bainimarama said Sunday the prime minister has to resign to allow the military to clean up the government.

At Tuesday's press conference, Bainimarama stressed he had been forced to act because Qarase refused to attend an audience with the president who was trying to resolve the impasse.

"This action by the PM has indicated to me and the military that the government has no intention of solving this crisis," said Bainimarama.

He said the Constitution allowed the president to sack the prime minister "in cases such as this, however, the stalemate has forced me to step forth and the military has taken over government. "

Bainimarama said there will be no curfew and urged people to go about their daily lives without fear.

"I urge all citizens to remain calm and maintain the peace that currently prevails," said Bainimarama.

Suva is currently stable with no sign of chaos after the army chief announced military takeover, Xinhua's witness said.

Fei Mingxing, the Political Counselor of Chinese Embassy to Fiji, told Xinhua that the embassy has informed the Chinese in Suva to take measures against particular situation.

There are over 7,000 Chinese living in Fiji, most of them reside in Suva.

Mr. Fei said the Chinese embassy is monitoring the situation in Fiji and will make every efforts to help Chinese.

Fiji's military actions have been against by neighboring countries. New Zealand has become Tuesday the first overseas country to impose sanctions on Fiji.

Measures announced by New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark include imposing travel bans on senior Fiji military officials and their families, discussing with Commonwealth Secretary-General the likelihood that Fiji be suspended from the Commonwealth, and suspending bilateral defense ties with the exception of maritime patrolling, disaster relief, and search and rescue activities.

Fiji, a South Pacific nation of nearly 900,000 people, consists of 800-plus volcanic and coral islands that enjoy tropical climate as a prime destination for tourists. However, racial and political tensions since 1987, including previous three coups, have been an intermittent source of instability of the country.

Source: Xinhua