The increased defence came as a so-called minister in Speight's self-proclaimed Government and two other soldiers returned to the Army barracks following an ultimatum set by the military ruler, Commodore Frank Bainimarama.
Lieutenant-Colonel Viliami Volavola, who was named in Speight's cabinet when the rebels carried out their coup on May 19, and two soldiers from the Army's engineering unit were last night facing questioning back in the Queen Elizabeth Barracks.
An Army spokesman said that the trio had deserted Speight and rejoined military ranks, marching through the Parliament gates about 1 pm, two hours before a 3 pm deadline set by Commodore Bainimarama.
Just before 3 pm, another man dressed in full military camouflage uniform and carrying an M16 rifle hovered just inside the gates.
Family members outside said he was leaving the compound, but he denied it and remained inside.
Commodore Bainimarama had said any officers inside the compound after the deadline would be stripped of their military ranks as a reprisal for their involvement in the coup.
"I do not expect any of them to call me sir from now on," he said.
Speight claimed last night that the trio had not changed sides. Lt Col Volavola remained committed to the cause and the Army should be worried he was now back within their ranks, he said.
The two engineers, said Speight, had been arrested while they were out of the compound on errands.
It is understood that about five current or former Army officers remain inside the compound.
These include Major Ilisoni Ligairi, a former member of the British SAS who returned from Fiji to head the Counter-Revolutionary Warfare Unit (CRWU) after the 1987 coups.
Others include Sergeant Vilimoni Tikotani, known as Commander Bill.
Others on Speight's side include a former head of Fiji's intelligence service, Lt Col Matt Mua, and a former director of the Army's legal services.
Ligairi is understood to be leading the military tactics. "His tactics are quite dated, but still effective," said an officer on secondment to the Fijian military.
Of the weapons held by the rebels, the officer said: "It is not enough to start a war, but enough to kill hostages."
This was one of the reasons the military was not likely to storm the compound.
Other reasons included the fact the Fijians were more inclined to talk through issues. "They are certainly not Rambo-esque."
The layout of the compound - where hostages were being held in two separate rooms - was another factor.
George Speight talks to IRN's Barry Soper
(10 min).
