MCKINNON

LONDON (Reuters):

The Commonwealth said yesterday that Fiji would likely be suspended from the group of former British colonial territories after a military coup that has been condemned by Britain and the European Union.

Fijian army Commander Frank Bainimarama took over the role of president in a bloodless coup yesterday, dismissing Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase and dissolving parliament.

"The likelihood of Fiji to be suspended is very high," Commonwealth Secretary General Don McKinnon told a news conference in London.

Fiji's suspension would mean the end of technical assistance pro-grammes and could damage its trade.

McKinnon joined a chorus of condemnation of yesterday's coup, the fourth in the South Pacific island nation in 20 years.

"I deplore the actions by Commander Bainimarama and the Fiji royal military defence force," McKinnon said in a statement. "This is a clear attack on the democratically elected government of Fiji, and a serious violation of shared Commonwealth values and principles."