SUVA, Fiji (5 Dec 2006) -- The military commander of Fiji has announced he has taken over control of the country. Cmdr Frank Bainimarama said in a televised address he had taken executive powers and dismissed Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase. Cmdr Bainimarama accused the prime minister of corruption and leading Fiji on a path of doom. Mr Qarase said earlier he had been put under house arrest as troops blockaded his home in the capital, Suva. Amnesty Cmdr Bainimarama warned that more troops would be seen on the streets of Fiji but said there was no curfew and he urged the population not to be intimidated. He said Fiji had reached a "crossroads" and that the government had been "unable to make decisions to save our people from destruction". "I urge all citizens to remain calm, and maintain the peace that currently prevails," he said. Cmdr Bainimarama had repeatedly threatened to unseat Mr Qarase, expressing anger at the way the prime minister had handled the aftermath of a coup in 2000, offering an amnesty to those responsible. In his speech Cmdr Bainimarama accused Mr Qarase of failing to address the military's concerns in "true spirit" and said the prime minister had created tension in the army by trying to have him removed. Earlier on Tuesday, Mr Qarase told the BBC's World Today programme he expected to be taken into custody. He refused to step down voluntarily. "I am at home but there are soldiers at the gate negotiating their way to come in," Mr Qarase said from his complex in Suva. "If they want to carry out an illegal act, that is their choice," he said, "but I will not resign." Cmdr Bainimarama said in his address the military was not arresting ministers. Australia, Britain and New Zealand have advised their citizens to stay away from the tourism-dependent former British colony. They warned of dire social, economic and diplomatic consequences if the military completed its coup. Fiji has seen three coups in the past 20 years. | 
