The Fiji prime minister, Commodore Frank Bainimarama, has told the UN General Assembly that Fiji's standing in the world has never been stronger than now.
Commodore Bainimarama says under a new constitution, Fiji is heading towards what he describes as its first genuinely democratic elections by September 2014.
He ousted the elected government in a military coup in 2006, which was widely condemned, in particular New Zealand, Australia and the European Union.
Speaking in New York, Commodore Frank Bainimarama told the UN that in 2007 Fiji embarked on a path to establish a modern and stable society
"Regrettably, and to our great disappointment, some of these oldest friends had no faith in us. They abandoned us and sought to punish us with sanctions. We sought their assistance and understanding, but they turned their backs on us. They chose to support a form of democracy, governance and justice in Fiji that they would never have accepted for themselves."
The Fiji prime minister, Commodore Frank Bainimarama, has promised to hold elections next year after reneging on a 2007 promise to hold them in 2009.
