Fiji's Military Takes Control Of Nation.

Fiji's military commander said Tuesday that he had seized control of the country from the elected government, dismissed the prime minister and appointed an interim replacement.

"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 (pic) told a news conference.

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

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

The announcement came after armed troops surrounded Qarase's house, set up checkpoints in the capital and seized official vehicles from government ministers.

Bainimarama had been demanding that Qarase resign and the government kill legislation that the military chief opposed. Qarase had offered to suspend the contentious bills, but said he could not agree to demands that went outside the law.

(Source: YAHOO! NEWS)

***** I wonder if this coup has a lesson for other nations which are deemed corrupt by their people and more importantly by the Armed Forces.