Fiji coup leader restored to power

SUVA, Fiji, April 11 (UPI) -- Fiji's military leader, Commodore Frank Bainimarama, has been restored to power after a court ruled his government was illegal, observers said.

Bainimarama, who seized power in the island nation in a 2006 coup, Friday was named interim prime minister by his chief backer, President Ratu Josefa Iloilo, after the Court of Appeals ruled that Bainimarama's government was illegitimate, the BBC reported.

Iloilo swore Bainimarama in as interim prime minister in a ceremony closed to the media, sacked the Appeal Court judges and appointed himself as "head of state in the new order," the broadcaster said.

Appearing on local television, the Fijian president said that Bainimarama would serve for five years to allow time for necessary reforms before elections could be held.

Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd said Iloilo's move was "grave and unwelcome," while the United States expressed "deep disappointment" and U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon urged the "restoration of a legitimate government" in Fiji, the BBC said.