Fiji's coup leader yesterday returned executive authority to the nation's former president but appeared set to retain effective power by moving to become interim prime minister.
Military commander Voreqe Bainimarama returned the presidency to Ratu Josefa Iloilo amid reports Bainimarama would be sworn in as interim prime minister today.
Military spokesman Major Neumi Leweni initially declined to comment on the reports. But after being told they came from the president's office he said: "If that's what the president's office says, it must be true."
Speaking after Bainimarama's announcement, restored President Ratu Josefa Iloilo swiftly endorsed last month's coup. He also said an incoming government would offer legal immunity to the military.
Iloilo said he would soon name an interim government to take Fiji through to general elections. But these would only be held when "political and economic conditions are conducive."
Bainimarama confirmed at a press conference that Iloilo would be restored to power and that caretaker prime minister Jona Senilagakali had resigned earlier yesterday to clear the way for an interim government to be named.
"I now hand over executive authority to the president. God Bless Fiji," he said.
Bainimarama appealed to Fijians and the international community -- which condemned the coup and imposed sanctions -- to support the South Pacific nation following the transfer of authority.
Iloilo, speaking for the first time since losing power in the bloodless Dec. 5 coup, said he backed the putsch that ousted prime minister Laisenia Qarase's government.
"Therefore I fully endorse the actions of the commander in acting in the interests of the nation and most importantly in upholding the constitution," Iloilo said in an address to the nation.
A long-time ally of Bainimarama, he said an interim government would "facilitate all legal protections" for the military chief and the rest of the armed forces over the putsch.
The 86-year-old president also said he had been prevented from exercising his authority in the runup to Qarase's overthrow, although he refused to elaborate.
Iloilo backed Bainimarama in his long-running dispute with the former government, which the military chief said was corrupt, adopted racist policies against the country's ethnic Indian minority and was soft on plotters of a coup in 2000.
The president said the time had come to "enforce a genuine democracy" in a "Fiji-based solution."
"I will therefore, shortly after consultation with capable people, announce an interim government to take us smoothly to the next elections," he said.
The president's role is primarily symbolic in the country of 900,000 with the real power residing with the prime minister and Cabinet.
Last month, the military advertised in Fiji's newspapers for applicants interested in joining an interim Cabinet, and it has been sifting through the applications.
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