Fiji's newly-appointed Prime Minister Baravilala Senilagakali Thursday told Australia not to interfere in the affairs of the South Pacific country.

Senilagakali was appointed as prime minister Wednesday by Fiji's coup leader, Military commander Frank Bainimarama, who has appointed himself as the president following Tuesday's coup.

Senilagakali told Australian Broadcasting Corporation radio that he hopes a democratic election can be held in Fiji, but adds that military rule might continue for years.

He said he would prefer it if Australia and New Zealand just left Fiji alone to solve its own problems.

"It's an internal problem of Fiji, and I'm asking both Australia and New Zealand to respect the sovereignty of Fiji," he said.

"My advice is leave us alone please," he said.

Meanwhile, Bainimarama announced a state of emergency in Fiji after swearing in the caretaker prime minister and sacking Fiji's acting police commissioner.

However, the military chief said the planned appointment of a caretaker government "is now put on hold" because the Great Council of Chiefs, the influential group of tribal leaders who appoint the president, said they had canceled a scheduled meeting next week.

(Xinhua News Agency December 7, 2006)