Fiji mercenaries disowned

The Fiji Government has distanced itself from a band of Fijian mercenaries training a separatist militia on Bougainville.

The eight mercenaries are reportedly providing weapons training to separatists and seeking recruits in an area controlled by followers of the late rebel leader Francis Ona, the Fiji Times said.

The Fijian Government had assured Bougainville President Joseph Kabui that it did not support the eight, describing their actions as "embarrassing".