Fiji's attorney general is among nine hostages freed by rebel leader Speight

Nine hostages were released early this morning from Fiji's parliamentary compound where they have been held since it was stormed…

Nine hostages were released early this morning from Fiji's parliamentary compound where they have been held since it was stormed by coup plotters on May 19th, a local radio reported

The most senior of the released hostages was Attorney General Anand Singh, FM 96 reported, quoting a doctor at the Red Cross Centre in the capital, Suva.

The doctor said the nine looked "tired but well". A senior member of the George Speight group, which initiated the coup, said he was "highly disappointed" with the release.

"These things should have been discussed first among us," he said.

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Mr Speight and a group of special forces soldiers now hold 18 hostages, including Prime Minister Mahendhra Chaudhry, and his cabinet.

An accord had been signed on Sunday between the coup plotters and the military, who have been running the country, for the hostages' release tomorrow. Earlier, Mr Speight said the ideal outcome of Fiji's eight-week hostage crisis would be for him to be named prime minister by the country's traditional chiefs.

"Yes. I believe it would, because that is the overall desire and will of the people," Mr Speight told reporters when asked if the best result would be for him to become prime minister.

Fiji's Great Council of Chiefs will meet tomorrow to decide on a new prime minister and president under the accord agreed on Sunday. Mr Speight and his rebels took the hostages in May in an attempt to end Indian political power.

The chairman of the chiefs' council, Mr Sitiveni Rabuka, a former prime minister, has said Mr Speight could become prime minister, or would at least be included in the new cabinet.

"There is a chance - he has been given so much and I wouldn't be surprised if they include him on the list," said Mr Rabuka, who will convene the chiefs meeting but will not take part in any vote.

Under the accord, a civilian government appointed by the military only last week will be dismissed, the chiefs will appoint a new president and prime minister, the hostages will be freed and Mr Speight granted amnesty.