Fiji expels New Zealand diplomat

Fiji's military ruler today said he was expelling New Zealand's top diplomat, sending relations between the two South Pacific nations spiralling even lower.

Commodore Frank Bainimarama said Fiji had told New Zealand High Commissioner Michael Green to leave after he had failed to accede to demands that "stop interfering in Fiji's domestic affairs".

New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark called the move "absolutely disgraceful" and hinted sanctions already imposed on the Fiji in response to Bainimarama's December 5 coup would be tightened even further.

New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters also deplored the expulsion.

"Expelling diplomats is not the way to carry out diplomatic relations," Peters said, adding that Green would return to New Zealand soon.

Australia also condemned the expulsion, which seriously downgrades relations with New Zealand, impedes aid to the struggling Fiji economy and deepens the rift between Fiji and the two South Pacific regional powers who have led international efforts pressing Bainimarama to quickly return the country to democratic rule.