Fiji's president revoked the politically unstable nation's constitution yesterday, named himself to temporarily replace a post-coup interim government and called for elections by 2014.

President Ratu Josefa Iloilo said he would soon appoint a new interim government but gave no firm timeframe.

His actions come after Fiji's Court of Appeal on Thursday declared as illegal the administration headed by military commander Frank Bainimarama since a bloodless December 2006 coup.

New Zealand Foreign Minister Murray McCully yesterday condemned Ratu Iloilo's move.

"The events of the past few days will merely compound the problems faced by ordinary Fijians," Mr McCully said in a statement.

Ratu Iloilo announced his actions in a national radio broadcast yesterday.

"I hereby confirm I have abrogated the 1997 constitution and appointed myself as head of state in the new order," he said.

The move came one day after the country's second-highest court ruled that armed forces chief Frank Bainimarama's government that took power after a 2006 coup was illegal, effectively creating a power vacuum.

In response, Mr Bainimarama went on national television to announce he had met Ratu Iloilo and told him he was relinquishing the prime minister's post. He said the armed forces would continue to enforce security.

Observers said yesterday's announcement by the aged and ailing Ratu Iloilo had the stamp of Mr Bainimarama, and that the measures appeared to prepare the way for the president to reappoint Mr Bainimarama as prime minister.

"It looks like a prepared statement by Bainimarama, delivered by Iloilo," Rod Alley, a senior fellow at New Zealand's Centre for Strategic Studies, told reporters.

"This is extraordinary and doesn't look good for Fiji."

Ratu Iloilo said he would appoint an interim prime minister soon.

"You cannot have a country without a government," he said. "The machinery of government must continue."

Mr McCully said disbanding the Court of Appeal was "a serious step backwards", although he did not commit to doing anything about it.

"The decision of the Court of Appeal declaring the interim government unlawful provided a way out for [Mr] Bainimarama and his colleagues. It is a great pity that they did not take the opportunity they were afforded."

Mr McCully said he had little doubt the president's decision was prompted by Mr Bainimarama.

Labour leader Phil Goff said New Zealand's South Pacific neighbour had to "break out of its coup culture" and democratically form consensus among its communities and respect the rights of its citizens.

On Thursday, Prime Minister John Key told the Australian media he did not think Mr Bainimarama would give up power and allow the election previously scheduled by the Pacific Islands Forum for May 1.

"I really believe it doesn't matter to him much what occurs. He's going to resist any genuine attempts to restore Fiji democracy and I think that's sad.

New Zealand imposed targeted sanctions against Fiji following the 2006 coup - the fourth in 20 years - which ban travel to New Zealand by members of the interim regime. The ban also includes transit visas, so regime members are not able to travel through New Zealand on their way to another country.

The New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade yesterday advised caution for travel in and to Fiji as it presented "some risk".

New Zealand citizens in Fiji were warned to be conscious of security at all times, and avoid any demonstrations and areas of military activity, particularly in and around Suva.

United Nations Secretary-general Ban Ki-moon appealed for calm and urged "full respect for human rights, the rule of law and the judicial process", UN spokeswoman Michele Montas said. The UN was reviewing its role in mediating the crisis.


Fiji developments

• Ratu Josefa Iloilo announces he has:
- Abolished the constitution.
- Assumed all governing power.
- Revoked all judicial appointments.

• Elections scheduled for 2014.

• Armed forces chief Frank Bainimarama to relinquish prime minister's post.

• UN Secretary-general Ban Ki-moon appeals for calm.


- Addittional reporting by NZPA