Military cordon likely around Fiji Parliament

2:45 PM

Fiji's military is poised to turn up the heat on rebel leader George Speight, holding 27 politicians hostage in Suva's Parliamentary complex.

Local radio broadcasts this afternoon say the army is poised to set up a "military zone" around the Parliamentary complex, and nearby residents have been asked to evacuate.

IRN's reporter in Fiji, Vijay Narain says military sources have told him an official announcement on the plan will be made tomorrow.

But he has received independent confirmation from a school which has been told to close from tomorrow.

Vijay Narain says only Red Cross personnel and rationed food parcels will be allowed to pass through the cordon.

- IRN

George Speight talks to IRN's Barry Soper

(10 min).