Fiji's interim prime minister, Commodore Frank Bainimarama, has launched Fiji Day celebrations marking the 40th year of independence from Britain.
In his speech at Albert Park in Suva, he said Fiji's post-independence history has been dissimilar to some other countries
He says Fiji has had events it could have done without, pointing to what he says was an absence of nationhood.
Commodore Bainiamarama, who seized power in Fiji's fourth military coup in 2006, has urged people to play their part in building a modern and progressive country.