Fire rages in Fiji's old capital

9 Jul, 2000 08:45 PM2 mins to read

8:00 AM

Arsonists have set fire to the Masonic Hall in Fiji's original capital city, Levuka.

Radio New Zealand quotes a Fiji radio station as saying thirty men, thought to be supporters of rebel leader George Speight, attacked the hall and set it ablaze. They also looted several shops.

Levuka is on the island of Ovalau, east of the main island, Viti Levu. It was Fiji's capital until 1882 and contains many historic buildings.

The attack in Levuka is the latest incident in a string of attacks apparently designed to show support for the rebels who still hold 27 hostages in the capital city, Suva.

In the past few days, villagers around Fiji have set up roadblocks, taken over a police station, shut down the country's main hydroelectric station, and seized a number of hostages.

Fiji's Great Council of Chiefs is again being called in to resolve the political hostage crisis.

IRN political editor Barry Soper says the rebel leader

has promised to release the hostages on Thursday morning before the chiefs meet.

The move follows the signing between Fiji's coup plotters and martial law authorities of an accord which

gives almost total amnesty to George Speight and his supporters.

The agreement states its immmediate objectives are the

release of the political hostages held at Parliament, and the restoration of law and order as soon as possible.

More Fiji coup coverage

Main players in the Fiji coup

The hostages

Under seige: map of the Parliament complex

Fiji facts and figures