Military zone declared around Fiji's parliament

Military zone declared around Fiji's parliament
AGENCE FRANCE PRESSE

SUVA, JUNE 29: Fiji's martial law authorities are preparing to set up a cordon around the Parliamentary Complex where 27 political hostages are being held captive, local radio reports say. Coup plotters have held Prime Minister Mahendra Chaudhry, his cabinet and ruling MPs hostage in Parliament since June 19.

On Wednesday, a deadline imposed by the military on the plotters to sign an accord to end the drama passed without signatures. Radio FM96 said the military had a decree ready for implementation on Friday which would see the parliament sealed off from the outside.

Until now, coup supporters have had easy access into the parliament, enabling them to take in large amounts of food. In the first week of the coup, the area was sealed off, but coup leader George Speight and his followers tore down the barricades.

State-run Fiji Broadcasting Commission said staff and students at the nearby Pacific Theological College had been told to evacuate. The exclusive Domain Road area, which is home to the United States and French ambassadors, the British High Commissioner and the deputy New Zealand High Commissioners, was also evacuated.

When an AFP correspondent drove through the area a short time ago, there were no obvious signs of activity. Martial law authorities were not immediately available to comment on the reports.