There are no close Speight associates in the cabinet
Fiji's President Josefa Iloilo has sworn in a new
government two months after an attempted coup led to
the ousting of the previous democratic regime.
The new cabinet is similar in line up to one announced
last week, except for the removal of three men closely
associated with rebel leader George Speight, who
overthrew the government in May.
The rebels had threatened trouble unless more of their
supporters were named as part of government,
including a replacement for Prime Minister Laisenia
Qarase, whose appointment had already been
announced.
The swearing in ceremony was held amid tight security
as the Fijian military remained on alert following the
sporadic violence that accompanied the arrest of Mr
Speight.
Shortly after Friday's ceremony, Prime Minister
Qarase said Mr Speight now posed "no more threat" and
said the lawlessness had to stop.
He also warned ousted prime minister Mahendra
Chaudhry not to try to take back power.
The new, unelected government is expected to
hold power until fresh elections are held in three
years time.
Correspondents say the removal of three of Mr
Speight's supporters from the cabinet is likely to further
anger the rebel leader's supporters, who have already
begun making reprisals for the arrests.
On Friday morning, two New Zealand pilots taken
hostage, apparently in retaliation for Mr Speight's
arrest, were released on the northern island of Vanua
Levu, a military spokesman said.
The rebel leader who could face treason charges,
remains in detention along with three aides on
suspicion of carrying weapons illegally and
making threats against the president.
Early on Thursday, heavily-armed troops raided his
rebel base at Kolabu, just east of the capital, Suva, to
contain any backlash against his arrest.
More than 350 of Mr Speight's supporters were detained
in the crackdown.
A military spokesman said one rebel had died, 24 were
in a serious condition and 32 had minor injuries.
Mr Speight's arrest followed reports that his group had
threatened the life of President Iloilo if his supporters
were not included in the cabinet.
A military spokesman Mr Speight could now face
treason charges.
The rebels were reported to have breached an
agreement with the military to return all weapons used
in the coup.
Under emergency powers, the military says it can hold
Mr Speight and his supporters "indefinitely"
without charge.
His arrest was welcomed by Australia and New Zealand,
who both said he should be convicted and jailed.
But, while applauding the arrest, New Zealand's Prime
Minister Helen Clark said the international community
was waiting for a sign of intention by the new
government to return Fiji to democracy.
Mr Speight plunged the country into crisis when he
stormed parliament on 19 May, taking Fiji's first ethnic
Indian Prime Minister, Mahendra Chaudhry, and
members of his multi-racial government hostage.
He said the coup was being staged in the name of
indigenous Fijians.
The new cabinet line up has met one of Mr Speight's
original demands - that the large Indian population be
stripped of political power.
Every post except one is now held by ethnic Fijians.
George Speight with weapons used by the rebels
The new interim government named in Fiji on Friday
contains no rebel backers of jailed coup leader George
Speight.
It follows an earlier line-up which was rejected by Mr
Speight before his arrest, despite the fact that several
of his supporters were given posts.
The new government includes just one ethnic Indian -
who is not in the cabinet - and is almost identical to the
one which was to have been sworn in last week.
The 20 ministers and eight assistant ministers are
expected to help draft a new constitution and prepare
for fresh elections in two years.
The following are among the major players in Fiji's new
political line-up.
Josefa Iloilo - President.
Nominated by Mr Speight, he defied the rebel leader
by appointing Laisenia Qarase as Prime Minister.
Mr Iloilu is a frail, 79-year-old tribal chief. He
has said it would be "quite unrealistic" to reinstate the
ousted government of ethnic Indian Prime Minister
Mahendra Chaudhry.
Laisenia Qarase - Prime Minister. Accused by the
rebels of being too accommodating towards
ethnic Indians. Mr Qarase, 59, is better known as a
banker than as a politician. The military had already
installed him as interim Prime Minister after imposing
martial law in late May.
Epeli Nailatikau - Deputy Prime Minister and Fijian
Affairs Minister. Son-in-law of deposed President Ratu
Sir Kamisese Mara.
Jone Kubuabola - Finance Minister. A former central
banker now faced with rebuilding Fiji's shattered
economy.
Jone Koroitamana - Foreign Minister. A former
diplomat who must try to ease strained ties with the
rest of the world.
Apisai Tora - Agriculture Minister. A hardline nationalist. Not a strong supporter
of Mr Speight's coup, but a founding member of the
Taukei movement, which has been supporting Mr Speight.
George Shiu Raj - Assistant Minister of Regional
Development and Multi-Ethnic Affairs. The only ethnic
Indian in the new government.
Tevita Momoedonu - Minister for Labour. A former
member of the deposed Mr Chaudhry's government.
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