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SUVA - Coup-hit Fiji may not hold general elections for another two years, the country's military-appointed prime minister has said.
Dr Jona Senilagakali said the military - led by Commodore Frank Bainimarama - would determine the timing of elections.
"It will totally be up to the military president and the military advisers to return Fiji back to normalcy. That could be tomorrow, that could be next week, it could be in the next two years or more," he said.
"Hopefully in 12 months, two years, we'll be able to have a general election, but we will do that [continue to govern] until we are certain that what we are going to do in the future will be for the best interests of the people of Fiji."
Dr Senilagakali also played down the impact of sanctions imposed in the wake of Commodore Bainimarama's coup, saying Fiji would circumvent them by building on ties with Asia.
Australia, New Zealand, Britain and the United States have imposed economic and defence sanctions against Fiji.
"I warn the Australian and New Zealand prime ministers to stay out of our business and to respect the sovereignty of the Fiji islands," said Dr Senilagakali.
Dr Senilagakali said Fiji would seek assistance from Asian economies such as Indonesia, Taiwan and China to circumvent sanctions, just as it did following a 1987 coup.
Fijians have been asked to wear black on Thursday in protest at the military takeover, while Qarase has called for non-violent protests and both Australia and New Zealand have called for Fijians to engage in passive resistance to restore democracy.
Dr Senilagakali earlier admitted the coup was illegal but said it was a lesser evil than the "corrupt" Qarase regime.
He told ABC radio: "There's no doubt about it… It is an illegal takeover." But he said as a member of the military he had to accept his new post.
"Whatever the commander tells me to do, I have no choice but to do it," he said.
"I have this conviction that I have been called by divine authority to do something for the people of Fiji. I will continue until I clean out the mess in Fiji."
After swearing in Dr Senilagakali, Commodore Bainimarama said, if necessary he would resort to force to keep control.
"Qarase and his cronies are not coming back," he said. We're trying to keep life as normal as possible, but should we be pushed to use force, let me state that we will do so very quickly."
Commodore Bainimarama has claimed the position of president from Ratu Josefa Iloilo, but today the powerful Council of Chiefs spoke in support of the 86-year-old.
"Ratu Josefa Iloilo is still the president," Council Chairman Ratu Ovini Bokini told news network Radio Legend. And, "Ratu Joni's removal from office is illegal, unconstitutional and most disrespectful."
Soldiers detained vice-president Ratu Joni Madraiwiwi overnight and Commodore Bainimarama has moved to silence his critics.
Heads of the public service were taken by soldiers to the Queen Elizabeth II barracks in Suva yesterday where they were told comments that might incite opposition to the military would not be tolerated.
Commodore Bainimarama has also installed Colonel Jim Koroi, a paraplegic, as Acting Commissioner of Police, replacing Moses Driver who refused to take orders from the military commander.
The military said in a statement it had also fired Assistant Police Commissioner Kevueli Bulamainaivalu, Public Service Commission chairman Stuart Hugget and chief executive Anare Jale, Solicitor General Nairendra Nand, Prime Minister's Office chief executive Jioji Kotobalavu.
"The RFMF (Republic of Fiji Military Forces) has warned it will not tolerate any public outbursts against its effort to accommodate a peaceful transition currently taking place in the country," military spokesman Major Neumi Leweni said in a statement.
The Fiji Times published again today and soldiers are no longer stationed inside radio stations and television however, Commodore Bainimarama's threat against those who might speak out in opposition to him has achieved a form of censorship.
Local radio reported this morning that senior public service officials were too fearful to comment on record. The radio stations said one unnamed public servant said the situation was more dire than realised.
Also the Senate did not return this morning. It had adjourned yesterday on the orders of armed soldiers supposedly to resume today. Soldiers are now stationed inside the gates of Government House where President Josefa Iloilo is still in residence and also at the now empty vice-president's residence.
- Additional reporting by AAP/REUTERS
