Bainimarama threatens "clean-up" in Fiji

Frank Bainimarama, Fiji's military chief, has issued a 24-hour ultimatum to the island's government that will result in a coup should his demands not be met.

They include the removal of three pieces of legislation, one of which would grant amnesty to people involved in a coup that took place six years ago.

Mr Bainimarama has told the Fijian prime minister, Laisenia Qarase, that unless this legislation is dropped, a "clean-up campaign" will result, according to Reuters.

"I give him until tomorrow afternoon to comply with our demands or I will start the clean-up campaign," the news agency quoted the military chief as saying.

Mr Qarase has already dropped the legislation saying that, pending a constitutional review, the bills can be removed completely.

However, it seems that an agreement cannot be reached after fruitless negotiations in New Zealand saw Mr Bainimarama head back to Fiji and his military begin exercises around the capital, Suva.

The Australian government has repeatedly condemned any prospective coup, as has the European Union. The Fijian military remains nervy about the possibilities of any foreign intervention and Mr Bainimarama has warned against this.