Deposed Fijian PM says he is still legal leader

Ousted Fiji's Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase said Wednesday that he believes he is still the legitimate prime minister of the South Pacific nation.

Qarase was speaking shortly before flying with his wife to his home island.

It is understood Qarase declined an offer of an military escort and flew by helicopter to Nausori Airport and then to his family home in the Lau Island group in far eastern Fiji, according to Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) radio.

"I have not resigned, I will not resign and legally I am still the prime minister," he told ABC radio following Tuesday's coup led by military commander Voreqe Bainimarama, who has assumed the powers of the president, sacked Qarase and appointed an interim prime minister.

Meanwhile, Qarase said he made no request to Australia to intervene with military force to prevent the coup.

"I did not request Australian military intervention. I was making an inquiry because I wanted to know the options available to me under the circumstances," he said.

"I can only ask for intervention with the backing of my Cabinet and the National Security Council," he added.

Australian Prime Minister John Howard said Tuesday he has refused Qarase's request for an Australian military intervention.

Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said Australia will be very tough on those who have overthrown the democratically- elected government of Fiji.

He said the Australian government has already decided on a series of measures in response to the coup.

"First is to suspend our defense cooperation program," he said.

"Secondly, we will be introducing a system whereby we will ban senior members of the Fiji military and their families from visiting Australia and the same rules will apply to anyone who serves in an illegal interim government in Fiji, so we will be taking those measures immediately," he added.

Source: Xinhua