Former president Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara and his family have apparently been moved to the safety of a sub-marine or naval vessel in Suva Harbour.
Reports have been confirmed by sources close to the navy.
It is not known at this stage who the vessel belongs to.
Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara's former secretary Jo Browne has confirmed that a group of senior army officers approached Mara in the traditional way and presented a tabua (whale's tooth) asking to step aside to allow them to impose martial law in order to solve the current political impasse.
Browne says this was confirmed by former army Commander Ratu Epeli Ganilau. Ganilau is Mara's son-in-law and was believed to be in the group.
It is not known whether another former army commander Ratu Epeli Nailatikau was in the group. Nailatikau was commandeer in 1987, when he was deposed by then Colonel Sitiveni Rabuka.
Nailatikau is also Mara's son-in-law and is the husband of Adi Koila Mara, Tourism Minister in the Chaudhry Government, and is also being held hostage.
A tabua is the highest offering in a traditional ceremony. It is regarded as sacred and is normally only offered to chiefs.
The President Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara earlier tonight resigned from office in a bid to resolve the current political impasse.
Executive leadership of the country has now been assumed by Army Commander Frank Bainimarama who has imposed martial law.
Bainimarama said he was forced to take this action "with much reluctance".
Army Commander Frank Bainimarama says he is confident of Fiji's capacity to work towards "a secure future for our beloved nation".
In assuming executive authority under martial law, Bainimarama says he hopes to take the country towards peace and stability at the earliest possible opportunity.
He has asked everyone to "show respect towards and uphold the rule of law".
He says the army reserves the right to use force to enforce the curfew.
Fiji is now under martial law. This was announced a short while ago by army Commander Frank Bainimarama.
Bainimarama has urged everyone to uphold the rule of law.
Access to Parliament has also been restricted to essential services.
There is no reaction from Parliament yet to these changes.
Bainimarama said a daily curfew will be imposed at 6 pm.
All soldiers have been asked to march into army HQ in suva and regional HQ's in Lautoka and Labasa.
This text may have been edited to protect the writer.
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