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CANBERRA - Foreign ministers from Pacific nations are expected to meet this week to discuss the threat of a coup in Fiji, Foreign Minister Alexander Downer says.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) last night upgraded its travel advisory for Fiji, warning Australians to reconsider their need to travel to the island nation because of an increasingly volatile security situation.
Mr Downer said today a coup was likely to happen very soon, as there was clear evidence the nation's military commander, Commodore Frank Bainimarama, was plotting to overthrow the government.
"I think a coup could happen within the next two weeks, I think it will happen perhaps a bit later than the end of this week, but I think a coup is very likely to occur," Mr Downer told ABC Radio.
"I am very concerned that Commodore Bainimarama, the head of the military, is going to undertake a coup when he returns from New Zealand."
Mr Downer said he wanted to meet with other leaders from nearby nations to discuss ways to deal with the threat.
"I've been talking with the prime minister of Fiji about the possibility of a Pacific foreign ministers meeting taking place this week.
"That's not been finalised yet, but it's likely to happen towards the end of the week."
- AAP
