SUVA, Fiji – A military commander threatening to topple Fiji's government said today that he was planning to appoint an interim civilian administration and that elections would be held later to restore democracy.

Commodore Frank Bainimarama told Fiji One television that he wants Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase to resign so the military can name a new government for the South Pacific island nation. A newspaper reported a change in government could come by tomorrow.

“Our plan is for him to accept the military demand for him to resign,” Bainimarama said. If Qarase resists, “we will find ways for him to resign,” he said.

Associated Press

Islamic hard-liners win big in Bahrain

MANAMA, Bahrain – Islamic hard-liners dominated the Sunni supporters of Bahrain's government who defeated an opposition led by the kingdom's majority Shiites in parliamentary elections, according to official results broadcast today on state television.

The election yesterday for the lower house of parliament reinforced sectarian divisions between Shiites and Sunnis and witnessed a deepening Islamic conservatism in the U.S. ally, considered among the most liberal of Gulf Arab states.

The majority Shiites, who make up about 60 percent of Bahrain's 700,000 residents, have long complained that they are squeezed out of power by the Sunni monarchy, which dominates government.

Associated Press

Shark severs leg of Australian teen

PERTH, Australia – A shark ripped off part of a 15-year-old tourist's leg yesterday as he swam at a beach in Australia's remote southwest, officials said.

Zak Golebiowski, from South Australia state, was attacked as he bodysurfed with a brother and a friend about 40 yards offshore at Wharton Beach, police Constable Katrina Luke said.

The teen's right leg was severed above the knee and his left leg badly mauled, but family members and witnesses on the beach managed to stem the bleeding until an ambulance arrived, Luke said. He was later flown to Royal Perth Hospital for further treatment and was in a serious but stable condition, Luke said.

Associated Press

Liberal Party picks underdog as leader

MONTREAL – A former environment minister who criticized the prime minister for “blindly” committing forces to Afghanistan for years won leadership of Canada's Liberal Party yesterday.

Stephane Dion scored a surprise defeat of front-runner Michael Ignatieff, a scholar and human rights expert. Dion, 51, environment minister under former Prime Minister Paul Martin and a strong supporter of the Kyoto Protocol to cut greenhouse gas emissions, came into the race in fourth place out of eight candidates.

Associated Press