A SODELPA official told reporters a new coalition agreement would be ready to sign on Wednesday.

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Streets calm

Rabuka and Bainimarama had earlier led delegations to the hotel to make presentations to SODELPA, which emerged as a power-broker after winning three seats in the hung parliament.

It supports policies favouring indigenous Fijians, while Rabuka’s coalition partner, National Federation Party, has drawn support from the Indian community.

Board members entering the hotel’s gated compound had their names checked against a list. Military vehicles patrolled the hotel vicinity, although Army Commander Major General Jone Kalouniwai said police were still in control and the military would “respect whatever the outcome is”, Fiji Village reported.

Fiji has been pivotal to the strategically located region’s response to increasing competition for influence between China and the United States, and struck an agreement with Australia in October to work more closely with its military.

“We stand ready to work with whoever forms government in Fiji”, Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Friday. “Fiji will remain an important partner of Australia.”

Overnight, some Fijians had posted images of calm scenes and Christmas shopping to social media in protest at the decision to call in the military to assist policing.

Police commissioner Sitiveni Qiliho said on Friday morning that the police chief operations officer, Abdul Khan, who had been tasked with leading the joint military and police security operation a day earlier, had resigned for “personal reasons”.

President Wiliame Katonivere needs to recall parliament by January 2 so members can vote for a new prime minister, according to a letter sent by the president to the coalition partners cited by media outlet Fiji Village.

Reuters