Great Council of Chiefs to discuss Fiji's future

A two-day Great Council of Chiefs (GCC) meeting begins in Suva today to deliberate on the future of Fiji after the military take over on December 5.

It is understood the army commander Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama will not attend the meeting tomorrow, as a protest for not being invited by the GCC as Fiji's acting President. The Great Council of Chiefs have only invited Commodore Bainimarama to tomorrow's meeting in his capacity as the army commander.

In earlier statements, the GCC has said that it still recognise ousted Ratu Josefa Iloilo as President, Ratu Joni Madraiwiwi as vice President and Qarase as the Prime Minister.

The Great Council of Chiefs is the highest social and cultural authority in Fiji, and they are the only rightful body to appoint the country's president and vice president.

Meanwhile, Fiji's deposed vice-President Ratu Joni Madraiwiwi has also handed his resignation to the Great Council of Chiefs. This was confirmed by GCC Chairman Ratu Ovini Bokini. Ratu Bokini said council members would have to discuss this today during the GCC meeting in Suva. The GCC will have to decide whether or not to accept his resignation.