Fiji's Cabinet in hiding: won't resign

Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase says he won't resign as he and members of Cabinet split up and moved to stay in undisclosed locations around the country.

It comes as military commander Voreqe Bainimarama vowed to go ahead with his clean-up campaign in the Government after his Friday-noon deadline passed without any response to his demands from Mr Qarase.

Mr Qarase said from an undisclosed location yesterday there was no way he would resign.

He said if he gave in and resigned as Prime Minister, he would be failing in his oath to uphold the rule of law and his duty to the electors.

"There is absolutely no way I will resign from my position because it is not in accordance with the Constitution," he said.

He said there were three ways he could be removed from the position legally:

Through a vote of no confidence in the House of Representatives;

A dissolution of Parliament in accordance with the Constitution;

A voluntary resignation.

Mr Qarase said yesterday's deadline set by the military had created fear and anxiety among the people and communities around the country.

"I have been told that the deadline by the military has been extended to midday Monday and this is something that we have to look into," he said.

"All these things have been happening when we are just looking forward to a very merry and festive season ahead of us and this is the time for togetherness for every family."

He said he had been following the law and working according to it to look for ways to solve the impasse between the Government and the military.