By DPA
Wellington : Fiji’s military rulers, who have governed the country since taking over in a bloodless coup last December, lifted martial law Saturday, it was reported from the capital Suva.
“We have assessed the situation and there is no threat to the nation,” military spokesman Lt. Col. Mosese Tikoitoga told the independent Fijilive website.
Military strongman Commodore Voreqe (Frank) Bainimarama lifted martial law on May 31 but reinstated public emergency regulations on Sep 6, saying the man he ousted as prime minister, Laisenia Qarase, threatened public security.
The move was attacked by international critics of the coup, including the European Union which announced this week it had scrapped planned aid to restructure Fiji’s vital sugar industry and put about 60 million euros ($85 million) of other future aid on hold.
An EU statement said, “The sugar allocation for 2008 and 2009 will be released as and when Fiji meets certain agreed commitments leading to elections and installation of a legitimate government.”
The EU agreed an aid package in April conditional on Fiji moving towards democracy, including ending martial law and holding elections before March 2009.