Military takes over Fiji's government

SUVA, Fiji, Dec. 5 (UPI) -- Fiji's prime minister was placed under house arrest Tuesday as the Pacific island nation's military announced it had taken control of the government.

Military leader Commodore Frank Bainimarama told reporters in Suva that neither Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase nor President Josefa Iloilo held power any longer.

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

He called for calm, and said elections would be held, but did not provide a date, The Australian newspaper reported.

Beginning in July 2005, Bainimarama repeatedly threatened to unseat Qarase over the prime minister's proposed legislation to offer an amnesty to those responsible for a 2000 coup that Bainimarama helped quell.

Fiji's largest daily newspaper, the Fiji Times, suspended publication Tuesday after refusing to accept censorship, a BBC correspondent reported.