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Fiji Rebels Wounded in Parliament Shooting
Shooting broke out on Tuesday between Fijian troops and rebels holding deposed prime minister Mahendra Chaudhry and at least four people were wounded, witnesses said.
"Four rebels were wounded. Most had leg wounds," said a Reuters photographer who saw the rebels carried into a Suva hospital.
Army Captain Eroni Volavola told Reuters: "There was an exchange of gunfire that lasted for about 15 minutes." He added.
After the shootout rebel leader George Speight and his gunmen, who seized Chaudhry and his racially mixed cabinet on May 19 in the name of indigenous Fijian rights, were still holding 27 hostages.
It was unclear how close the shooting was to where the hostages were being held.
Rebels inside Suva's parliament accused soldiers of shooting first, saying they merely returned fire to protect themselves.
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