9 Jan 2009

International mission due in Fiji in 10 days

3:27 pm on 9 January 2009

A joint United Nations and Commonwealth mission will be in Fiji from January the 19th to the 23rd.

The UN confirmed the dates in a brief statement in response to what it says media reports speculating on the dates of the visit.

This comes amid international efforts to help Fiji return to democracy following the 2006 military coup.

An exploratory mission to Fiji in late November found among Fiji's key political actors a widely-shared willingness to engage as soon as possible in a political dialogue brokered by the UN and the Commonwealth.

The interim regime wants to change the electoral system ahead of any return to democracy.

It has ruled out elections this year and is yet to say when it plans to relinquish power.