UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon has expressed dismay at the decision to scrap Fiji's Constitution and the clear attempt by an unelected executive to prolong rule by setting a new five year timeframe for parliamentary elections in 2014.

Moon strongly deplored the steps taken and calls for urgent action towards their reversal and restoration of a legitimate government and constitutional order.

He added the latest measures are a clear rejection of the legal process and actions taken by Fiji's leadership run contrary to the stated common objective of returning the country to an elected government as soon as possible.

Meanwhile, the Foreign Ministers on the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group will now be consulted to determine the timing of a CMAG meeting as soon as practicable.

Commonwealth Secretary General Kamalesh Sharma today deplored the abrogation of Fiji's constitution.

Sharma said the abrogation of the constitution, the dismissal of the judiciary and the postponement of elections until 2014 are steps which take Fiji further away from the return to civilian constitutional democratic rule which the Commonwealth has been urging.

Sharma further added these unwelcome developments are a clear new breach of fundamental Commonwealth political values and are unacceptable.

These developments strike at the root of the rule of law which is the cornerstone of the values supported by the Commonwealth.