Pmsuva - Fiji's traditional chiefs risked international condemnation yesterday when they urged the president to replace a democratically elected Prime Minister and pardon gunmen who have held him hostage for nearly a week.
Mr Sitiveni Rabuka, chairman of Fiji's Great Council of Chiefs, said it had recommended a council of advisers be appointed to run an interim government under President Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara.
But the political crisis in the South Pacific nation looked certain to drag on after a colleague of the coup leader, Mr George Speight, rejected the chiefs' proposals and reiterated its call for Mr Mara's removal as well.