The six-day old government of interim Prime Minister Laisenia
Qarase will be "deemed to have resigned" on Thursday when army
commander Commodore Frank Bainimarama hands over power to
a new President.
This is one of the provisions of the Muanikau Accord signed
earlier tonight by attempted coup leader George Speight and
Bainimarama. The accord is to be gazetted tomorrow.
The Qarase government would have been 10 days old on
Thursday. It is believed some members of the government,
including Qarase, would be included in the new government to be
chosen by Fiji’s new President.
The new President will be chosen by the Great Council of Chiefs
which also earlier resolved that the interim government should
comprise nominees of the President, the GCC and Speight’s
group.
Other provisions in the accord include the release of the hostages,
the return of law and order as soon as possible, the return to
service and status of all soldiers involved in the coup, immunity to
all persons who committed treason and political offences between
May 19-July 13, and the return of all arms.
Under the terms of the accord, the military will also immediately
remove the Military Exclusive Zone.
The new President is expected to appoint a new government that
will rule Fiji for 24 months. He will also appoint a constitution
review commission that will ready a new constitution to replace the
abrogated 1997 Constitution. Fresh elections are then expected to
be held after 24 months.
*********
Attempted coup leader George Speight and army commander
Commodore Frank Bainimarama have signed an accord at former
Vice-President Ratu Josefa Iloilo's house a short while ago.
The accord is expected to see the release of the hostages in
Parliament as well as a new government for Fiji..
A church service was conducted before the signing ceremony.
Earlier Speight supporters walked from Parliament to former
Iloilo's home. Speight was accompanied in front of the 100
marchers by former Fiji Intelligence Services chief Metuisela Mua
and Naitasiri chief Ratu Inoke Takiveikata. They were protected by
armed rebel soldiers.
Speight told the media his supporters wanted to be a part of the
"special moment". He said Bainimarama had been invited to sign
the document in Parliament, but he had declined.
"We have been praying for this result. Now the will of the Lord
will prevail and we have to stanad by the decision of the chiefs of
Fiji on Friday. The hostages could be freed by Thursday, accord
The accord proposes the convening of the Great Council of Chiefs
meeting on Friday with Bainimarma stepping down as head of
state and handing over executive authority to the GCC. The GCC
will appoint a new President and Vice-President.
Following this the rebels will surrender arms and release the
members of the Mahendra Chaudhry government.
The military-appointed interim administration, headed by Prime
Minister Laisenia Qarase, will be dissolved.
The GCC will appoint a new interim administration.
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