"As of 6 o'clock this evening, the military has taken over the government, has executive authority and the running of this country," Commodore Frank Bainimarama said.

Bainimarama said he had assumed the powers of the president, and was using them to dismiss Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase from office and appoint an interim replacement.

He said he would surrender presidential powers sometime soon back to President Ratu Josefa Iloilo, who he expected would appoint a full interim government. Elections to restore democracy would follow sometime after that.

The Japan Times Weekly: Dec. 9, 2006
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