I have no doubt that if there was an election tomorrow we'd still win and win handsomely

Mahendra Chaudhry

Mr Chaudhry, an ethnic Indian, was speaking after Fiji's High Court ruled on Wednesday that the interim government set up by the military - in a deal with rebels to end the hostage crisis - was unlawful and unconstitutional.

Mr Chaudhry said members of the coalition government would be meeting as soon as possible to discuss the judgment in detail.

"I have no doubt that if there was an election tomorrow we'd still win and win handsomely," he told New Zealand radio.

Military may delay

In Suva, the capital, the interim administration led by Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase said it would continue as the national government.

The new government is largely indigenous Fijian

Mr Qarase said his administration had the support of the chiefs of the army, police force, judiciary and civil service.

In a statement, his administration - which has yet to file its appeal - highlighted three priority tasks:

• securing the safety of the citizens of Fiji
• enabling a return to constitutional rule
• rehabilitating the economy

Fiji's military has said it would appeal against the court ruling.

New Zealand's Foreign Minister Phil Goff said he believed the military would try to buy more time, and may seek to delay proceedings for a few months.

Some analysts have said the legal judgement may not amount to much without army backing, and may only be a symbolic victory for Mr Chaudhry.

Call to judges

On Thursday, Justice Anthony Gates - who made the ruling at the High Court - said judges should always remember the importance of the constitutional separation of powers and not intrude into political matters.

Rebels stormed the parliament in May

He said to do anything otherwise compromised the independence of the judiciary, Fijilive website reported.

The lawsuit was brought by a member of the public, who questioned whether the military had acted legally when it scrapped the constitution that enabled Mr Chaudhry to become prime minister.

A BBC correspondent in the region says a new constitution had been expected to discriminate against Fiji's Indian minority.