New Zealand government rejected Wednesday invitation from Fiji's former Prime Minister, Mahendra Chaudhry, to visit and witness the damage he said was wrought by the Qarase government.

Laisenia Qarase's administration was deposed by a military coup last year with accusations of corruption and incompetence.

Chaudhry, who himself was deposed in a coup in 2000, has been appointed as Minister for Finance, Sugar Reform and National Planning in the interim government set up by Fiji's army chief, Commodore Bainimarama.

New Zealand duty government minister Jim Anderton said New Zealand is unlikely to take up Chaudhry's invitation.

"At the present time this interim government is deemed as illegitimate by this government, and the behavior of the coup leaders and Chaudry in joining them is unacceptable to us," said Anderton.

Commodore Bainimarama deposed the elected government of Laisenia Qarase in a coup on December 5. It was Fiji's fourth coup since 1987.

Ratu Josefa Iloilo, 86, was reappointed as President on Thursday. He then endorsed the coup and swore in Commodore Bainimarama as interim Prime Minister the following day.

Eight interim ministers were sworn in on Monday and seven more on Tuesday.

Source: Xinhua