Suva - Fijian rebels, who seized government ministers two weeks ago, said they expect to release about 30 hostages at the weekend, after reaching a deal with the military designed to pave the way for a new government.
The deal provides a framework for the formation of a new government with the help of indigenous tribal leaders, and stems from negotiations since the military announced it was taking control of Fiji on Monday after outbursts of violence. Soldiers armed with machine guns continued to man roadblocks ringed by barbed wire last night, despite the deal between the rebel leader, Mr George Speight, and the interim military ruler, Commodore Frank Bainimarama.