Fijian Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase delivers a speech in Suva, capital of Fiji, Nov. 30, 2006. Qarase expressed hope to reach reconciliation with the army. Fiji's army commander Commodore Vorege Bainimarama vowed Nov. 30 a "peaceful transition" of the government if Qarase failed to meet his demands by the deadline, namely 12 a.m. local time Dec. 1 (2400 GMT Nov. 30). The coup deadline has been extended until Dec. 4.(Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery >>>

    WELLINGTON, Dec. 1 (Xinhua) -- Several hours after his first deadline expired for the government to meet all of army demands, the Fiji army chief said Friday military action would not start on Friday night.

    But neither Commander Voreqe Bainimarama nor Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase appears to believe the issue is resolved, said Radio New Zealand International.

    It said things took an unexpected turn when Bainimarama apparently extended the coup deadline until Monday.

    Bainimarama told reporters army's "clean-up" campaign will go ahead due to Qarase's silence on his demands.

    The army chief had vowed Thursday a "peaceful transition" of the Qarase Government if the prime minister failed to meet his demands by the deadline, which is 12:00 a.m. local time Friday (2400 GMT Thursday).

    Qarase said earlier there's nothing his Government can do but wait until Bainimarama's deadline for a "clean-up" is reached.

    Qarase said he was counting on divine intervention to prevent Fiji's fourth coup since 1987.

    Some Fiji cabinet ministers have gone into hiding. Qarase said the ministers have moved to "certain locations" to enable them to carry on working.

    Qarase also said he will not resign because of the military's threat to remove his government.

    Tensions in Fiji have been high since Bainimarama threatened a month ago to remove Prime Minister Qarase from office.

    Fiji, a South Pacific nation of about 900,000 people, consists of 800-plus volcanic and coral islands. Racial and political tensions since 1987, including three soups, have been an intermittent source of instability of the country.