2 Apr 2007

Fiji military cool on elections before 2010

3:09 pm on 2 April 2007

The Fiji military says despite calls for elections soon, it will adhere to its plans of ruling with an interim government.

The Ba Provincial Council has been the latest group to call for a return to democracy, saying the current situation hinders the economic growth of the country.

The Pacific Islands Forum has been calling for elections next year.

But the military's spokesperson, Major Neumi Leweni, says the military has a timetable that it will follow.

"That's a section of the community who think otherwise, they are entitled to their own opinion. But the roadmap has been put out and it is the way the interim government sees the situation for the way forward for the nation. 12"

Major Neumi Leweni says the next general election is planned for 2010, although the military commander has said that it may be later than that.