Fiji's prime minister, Laisenia Qarase, says he will not resign despite threats of a military coup.
Mr. Qarase says neither he nor his government will step down. He made the announcement during an address to the nation on local radio Wednesday.
The prime minister is trying to remove Fiji's military commander, Frank Bainimarama. The commander has refused to step down and is calling for the government to resign.
Bainimarama opposes proposed legislation that could grant amnesty to some of those involved in a 2000 coup.
Australia and the United States have expressed concern about the deterioration of civilian-military relations in the Pacific island nation. Washington has threatened to suspend U.S. aid to Fiji if military leaders move against the country's elected government.
Some information for this report was provided by AP, AFP and Reuters