Wellington - Fiji's military strongman Voreqe Bainimarama, who took control in a coup 29 months ago, was given one of the Pacific island nation's highest awards on Friday for service to humanity, according to reports from the capital Suva. Bainimarama was honoured by President Ratu Josefa Iloilo, who reappointed him as prime minister two weeks ago, after sacking judges of the Court of Appeal who had declared the post-coup government illegal.

In a ceremony at Government House, Bainimarama was made a Companion of the Order of Fiji for his "eminent achievement and merit of highest degree and service to Fiji and to humanity at large," the Fijilive website reported.

When he sacked the judges, Iloilo revoked Fiji's constitution and decreed that elections to restore democracy would not be held before September 2014. (dpa)