The Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group has expressed disappointment with the interim Prime Minister Commodore Frank Bainimarama's statement to the UN General Assembly that elections will not be held by the deadline he promised earlier.

After the 30th Meeting of CMAG, the group expressed serious concern at the lack of progress towards elections in March 2009 as pledged to the region after it received an update from the Secretary General of the Commonwealth on developments in Fiji since May this year.

The Group strongly reaffirmed the importance of the March 2009 deadline for elections and urged the interim government to adhere to it.

CMAG also noted the interim governments decision to re-engage with the Pacific Islands Forum Joint Working Group and welcomed the agreement by the interim government to a visit by the Forum Ministerial Contact Group before the end of the year as the visit could provide an important opportunity for constructive engagement aimed at progressing a return to democracy.

The Commonwealth body also encouraged the Secretary General to continue his engagement with the interim government and noted Sir Paul Reeve's efforts to promote a broad based political dialogue.

CMAG recalled that by December 2008 Fiji will have reached the 2 year deadline envisaged in the Millbrook Plan of Action for restoration of democratic government.

It said in keeping also with the March 2009 election deadline, the Group will meet again in early 2009 to review progress and then consider further measures, if necessary.