Confusion as Fiji's Bainimarama trapped in Iraq

Fiji's coup leader Voreqe Bainimarama is trapped in the Iraqi capital Baghdad in unexplained circumstances.


And increasing the confusion in Fiji has been the revelation his right-hand man, Prime Minister's Office head Premesh Chand, is in Auckland tending to his sick wife.

Bainimarama, who staged a coup a year ago, spent Christmas with Fijian troops serving with the United Nations in the Kurdish area of Iraq.

He was due home today but in a statement late today, the Fiji Government said his departure from Baghdad had been cancelled due to the tense situation on the ground.

The statement said his flight was scheduled to depart Baghdad for the Jordan capital Amman yesterday.

But without giving details they said it was cancelled as security measures were heightened in Iraq.

The statement said this led to a cancellations of all flights to and from Baghdad.

"Once the situation in Baghdad eases, flights to and from Baghdad will resume," the statement said.

The government said they were now expecting Bainimarama back in Fiji on Monday.

Meanwhile Chand is due to fly home to Suva tomorrow.
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