Fiji commander plans interim govt

The military commander threatening to topple Fiji’s government said today he was planning to appoint an interim civilian administration and hold elections to restore democracy.

Commodore Frank Bainimarama also appeared to pull back a step from his threat to stage a coup by demanding that prime minister Laisenia Qarase resign so the military could implement its plan.

Bainimarama made the comments in an interview with Fiji One television.