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.

Suva (Fiji), Apr. 17 : Fiji dictator Colonel Voreqe Bainimarama has claimed that his new "legal order" is the future of the island nation.

In an extraordinary speech to civil servants this morning, stuff. co. nz quoted him a saying that with the abrogation of the constitution "a new Legal Order has been created.

Wellington - Fiji strongman Voreqe Bainimarama was back in charge on Saturday, two days after his military government was declared illegal by the Court of Appeal, according to news reports from the capital Suva. Bainimarama, who has governed the country since he ousted the elected government in a bloodless military coup in December 2006, was sworn in by President Ratu Josefa Iloilo as caretaker prime minister for the next five years.

Wellington - Leaders of the Pacific Islands Forum gave Fiji military strongman Voreqe (Frank) Bainimarama an ultimatum on Thursday to hold democratic elections by March or face suspension from the 16-member regional body.

The leaders laid down their challenge in a communique at their annual summit, in Niue, boycotted by Bainimarama, who ousted Fiji's elected government with a bloodless military coup in December 2006.

He announced this month that he would not hold new elections early next year, as he had promised forum leaders at last year's summit in Tonga.

Wellington - Fiji's military strongman, Voreqe Bainimarama, tightened his grip on the South Pacific island state Monday and announced he would boycott a regional summit where he was expected to defend his refusal to hold fresh elections next year, according to reports from the capital, Suva.

Bainimarama, who made himself prime minister after ousting the elected government in a bloodless coup in December 2006, told reporters he was taking over the post of finance minister and responsibility for national planning, the independent Fijilive website reported.