Gunfire has been exchanged outside Suva this morning following the arrest last night of George Speight and three of his
supporters by the Fijian army.
This morning a truck carrying men with their hands tied has headed out of a village outside Suva where Speight was
located towards the Suva Hospital. One soldier is also thought to be injured.
The Military last night arrested Speight, Joe Nata and two others.
An army spokesman said that the army had good reason to do so because not all guns had been returned – Speight had been
seen with an armed escort and that was illegal, he said.
One of Speight’s supporters says that the army’s actions are tantamount to a declaration of war. Supporters also claim
that the arresting soldier was the son of Ratu Mara the former President, and that the arrest was in revenge.
NZ Foreign Minister Phil Goff says he is monitoring the situation in Fiji closely.