US suspends aid to post-coup Fiji

The sanctions cover some $2.5m (£1.2m) in mainly military-related assistance, the US state department announced.

Travel bans have also been imposed on army commanders and other officials who ousted Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase and his government on 5 December.

The US move came as a powerful group of Fijian tribal chiefs began a two-day meeting to discuss the crisis.

The Great Council of Chiefs - which has the power to appoint the president and vice-president - has so far refused to recognise the new military regime.