SUVA, Fiji, Dec. 4 (UPI) -- Fijian troops patrolled the streets of Suva in new moves to force the government to resign.
Soldiers swept up to the headquarters of the police tactical response unit Monday and removed all its weapons and ammunition. There was no opposition from police although Acting Police Commissioner Moses Driver says the military action was "unreasonable, unwarranted and unlawful."
A military spokesman told Fiji Radio the weapons were seized to prevent clashes between police and the army.
Renegade military chief Frank Bainimarama, who has been threatening a coup for weeks, unless the government agreed to a string of his demands, later defended his actions on the basis of national security.
But he refused to answer reporters' questions on who was running the country.
Embattled Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase said the military has broken the law and he is still in charge.
If Qarase is forced out, it will be Fiji's fourth coup in two decades.
