Fiji was today suspended from the Commonwealth three days after its democratically elected government was overthrown in a military coup.
The decision was made by foreign ministers from the United Kingdom and eight other nations at an emergency meeting in London.
In a statement, Commonwealth Secretary General Don McKinnon said they had agreed the takeover was a "serious violation of the Commonwealth's fundamental principles".
The Ministerial Action Group unanimously demanded the restoration of constitutional rule and democratic government "with immediate effect".
The suspension means representatives of the military regime are barred from taking part in Commonwealth meetings and activities, including get-togethers of its heads of state.
In the latest of a series of coups over recent years, Commander Frank Bainimarama seized power on Tuesday, installing a military medic as prime minister.