Fight for democracy: deposed Fiji PM [coup is done]

Fiji's deposed prime minister Laisenia Qarase has called on his countrymen to fight for democracy after the military finally ousted him in a bloodless coup.

After months of threats and an escalating military campaign, Commander Frank Bainimarama confirmed what Fijians knew was inevitable - that he had overthrown the government.

But Qarase was defiant after armed soldiers who had kept him under house arrest left his residence, in a sign the military would keep its promise not to arrest members of the government.

He said Bainimarama had "raped" Fiji's constitution and his actions would send the economy crashing.

Fijians must stand up and fight for democracy, he said.

"What the military commander has done is raped our constitution," he said.

"They have brought shame to the country. It is a national embarrassment and I would appeal to all right-thinking citizens that we should stand up and fight for our democracy - by peaceful means of course."

His rallying call came as Fiji's Police Commissioner, Australian Andrew Hughes, said the country's fourth coup in 20 years would collapse under a popular uprising and divisions within military ranks.

"He (Bainimarama) doesn't have the support of the government, of the president, of the police, of the churches, of the chiefs, of the people of Fiji," Mr Hughes told ABC television.

"And I can foresee a popular uprising.