November 03, 2009 15:48 PM

Fiji orders expulsion of Australia, NZ envoys

SUVA (Fiji), Nov 3 (Reuters) - The Pacific island nation of Fiji on Tuesday ordered envoys from its two biggest neighbours, Australia and New Zealand, to return home within 24 hours, accusing them of interfering in its internal affairs.

Fiji, which has suffered four coups and a bloody military mutiny since 1987, was plunged into a fresh crisis in April after the president reappointed coup leader Frank Bainimarama as prime minister, less than two days after a court ruled the military leader's 2006 coup and subsequent government was illegal.

© REUTERS 2009

Copyright REUTERS 2009.REUTERS text, photos, graphics and logos shall not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium. REUTERS shall not be held liable for any delays, inaccuracies, errors or omissions in any REUTERS content, or for any actions taken in consequence