Democracy must wait, insists Fijian military ruler

Fiji’s military ruler says it could be 10 years before he relinquishes power - offering a defiant challenge to South Pacific leaders as they meet to press him into restoring democracy.

Commodore Frank Bainimarama told troops in the Fijian capital, Suva, today there would be no elections before he changes the constitution and voting laws.

He was quoted by the Fijilive web site as saying that “if it takes us five years or 10 years to hold elections, then so be it”.

The comments were a direct challenge to Pacific leaders gathered today for a special meeting in nearby Papua New Guinea on ways to press Mr Bainimarama into calling elections to restore democracy.