Fiji's Sitiveni Rabuka says it's time for coup leaders to step away from politics.
His party Sodelpa gained some ground in the Fiji election but ultimately lost to Frank Bainimarama's FijiFirst , which has won another four years in power.
The contest was seen as a battle between two military strongmen vying for power as Fiji tries to embed democracy after years of fraught politics.
Mr Rabuka spoke to Sally Round in Fiji before the election result was announced on Sunday -- he says it's unfortunate the leaders of the two main parties were coup leaders.
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Fiji's SODELPA leader, Sitiveni Rabuka. Photo: RNZ / Koroi Hawkins