Fiji's Govt resigns

SUVA - Fiji's military-backed, post-coup Government resigned yesterday after the Court of Appeal ruling last week which declared it illegal.

The country's future now rests in the hands of President Ratu Josefa Iloilo and the Great Council of Chiefs, which meets today.

Interim Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase handed his Government's resignation to Iloilo in person.

Attorney-General Alipate Qetaki said: "It was a consensus decision following the Court of Appeal decision which highlighted that we have no legal standing."

New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark called for a government of national unity.

She said that would be seen as a sign of goodwill in Fiji to uphold the court decision.

- REUTERS