Promised elections to restore democracy to Fiji after this week’s coup could be more than two years away, the military-installed prime minister said today.

Fiji’s military ruler declared a state of emergency today, one day after seizing power, the country’s media has reported.

Fiji was facing the prospect of suspension from the Commonwealth today after a military coup was staged in the South Pacific island.

Fiji is likely to be suspended from the British Commonwealth and its former colonies later this week in response to a coup, Commonwealth Secretary-General Don McKinnon said today.

The military coup in Fiji today has “raped our constitution” and will send the south Pacific country’s tourist-dependent economy crashing, the ousted prime minister said.

Fiji’s military commander said today he has taken control of the country from the elected government.