Fiji radio says state of emergency to be declared

SUVA, Dec 6 (Reuters) Fiji radio said today that a state of emergency would be declared in the South Pacific island nation a day after the military staged the country's fourth coup in 20 years.

The declaration would involved cordons being established around the capital Suva, the military would reserve the right to impose curfews and all reserve soldiers would be recalled to barracks, said the radio report.

Military chief Commander Frank Bainimarama staged a bloodless coup yesterday after a year-long power struggle with Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase, whom he accuses of being too soft on those behind Fiji's last coup in 2000. Qarase, under military escort, was flown back to his island home on Wednesday.

REUTERS SRS BST0811