Rebels in Fiji have rejected a demand by the military to lay down their arms and release 30 politicians. The army had offered to give the rebels an amnesty but had ruled out giving them ministerial posts in a future government. The rebel leader, George Speight, responded by threatening to kill the political hostages who include the Prime Minister. Mr Speight wants an immediate transfer of power to indigenous tribal leaders and claims to be acting on behalf of ethnic Fijians.






















