SUVA, Fiji - Fiji's military overthrew the elected government Tuesday after weeks of threats, locking down the capital and putting the prime minister under house arrest in the fourth coup in the South Pacific country in 19 years.

Commodore Frank Bainimarama, the armed forces chief credited with resolving Fiji's last coup, announced in a nationally broadcast statement that, "As of 6 o'clock this evening, the military has taken over the government, has executive authority and the running of this country."LtP中国英语学习网
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The takeover, like the previous three coups, has its roots in the ethnic divide between the descendants of ancient Melanesian warrior tribes and those of Indian laborers brought by former colonial power Britain to work in sugar plantations.LtP中国英语学习网
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In his declaration, Bainimarama justified seizing power to prevent legislation that favored indigenous Fijians, contending the measures "would undermine the constitution and deny many citizens their rights."