We cannot surrender this country to them

Army spokesman

The army's Commodore Frank Bainimarama described the most recent set of demands by Mr Speight as a "red herring".

Mr Bainimarama said the real sticking point was Mr Speight's demand for the transfer of executive power to the Great Council of Chiefs - a body which up to now has played a consultative role in the governance of Fiji.

Speight: Initial concessions not enough

The military also ruled out Mr Speight's demand that he and his supporters be guaranteed a role in government.

"There is a line we cannot cross," military spokesman Filipo Tarakinikini said.

"We cannot surrender this country to them."

The military command is also concerned by the threat of sanctions by some of Fiji's foreign trading partners if the coup leader were to gain a share in power.

Setting the agenda

The army's refusal to move any further appears to be motivated by a desire to prevent Mr Speight from dictating the political agenda any more than he has done already.

Democracy... has resulted in an Indian government coming to power

George Speight

Commodore Bainimarama has complained that the army met Mr Speight's initial demands, only to see him impose new ones.

The initial demands were:

• The ousting of the president

• An amnesty for the coup leaders

• The removal of the 1997 constitution

Bainimarama: Fears of a backlash

Mr Speight has kept his options open, saying: "I will be whatever my people want me to be."

"My role is to see that the coup state finishes and to ensure legal functions are established that will eventually lead to a constitution that achieves the things I am talking about," he told the BBC.

Mr Speight blamed the crisis on current democratic models.

"Two prominent Fijian leaders have taken Fiji down the road to democracy which has resulted in an Indian government coming to power," he said.

"That Indian government over the last 12 months has embarked on a systematic programme of eroding the rights of Fijians."

His spokesman, Joe Nata, told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation that the hostages would be released "when we have a solution to the problem" - the "problem" being seen by the rebels as the role of Fiji's Indian minority.

Mr Speight launched his coup attempt in the name of indigenous Fijians who feel themselves to be less privileged than the country's ethnic Indian minority - and the army is aware that his sentiments may be widely shared.

Most soldiers remain loyal to Bainimarama at present

Fear of a popular backlash seems to be a major factor in dissuading the army from taking a stronger line.

Colonel Tarakinikini told the BBC that the coup "has got to be taken in context of the circumstances - particularly the racial and ethnic composition of the country".

He said Mr Speight was championing "a cause that has widespread support among indigenous Fijians".