Pacific

Commonwealth maintains suspension of Fiji's membership

16:12 pm on 28 September 2010

The Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group says it regrets that Fiji's suspension from the Commonwealth remains necessary in order to protect what it calls the fundamental values of the Commonwealth.

At a meeting in New York at the weekend, Group members, including Australia's Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd, reaffirmed their solidarity with the people of Fiji.

A statement has expressed the hope that Fiji would take the necessary steps to enable the restoration of its full participation in the Commonwealth as soon as possible.

Fiji was suspended last year when the Pacific Islands Forum also took action over the Fiji regime's refusal to hold elections.

The military-led regime in Fiji has said it won't relinquish power to an elected government for another four years.