Fiji military warns govt against 'sweeping changes' after tight election

SYDNEY (Reuters) - Fiji's military chief warned lawmakers on Tuesday against making "sweeping changes" less than a month after contested elections that removed the government of Frank Bainimarama, who ruled the Pacific island for 16 years after taking power in a coup.

Fiji has a history of military coups, including two staged by current Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka in 1987. Rabuka became Prime Minister on Dec. 24 after a coalition of parties narrowly voted to install him as leader of the strategically important Pacific nation.