After months of uneasy anticipation, Fiji's military commander Frank Bainimarama announced that he had taken control of the country, dismissing the elected government.

Before the announcement, soldiers poured into the streets setting up roadblocks.

A number of them went to stand guard outside government buildings.

Then they moved on to cut off access to the home of the ousted Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase.

The soldiers removed Mr Qarase's government car...

... before securing the residence and confining Mr Qarase to house arrest.

Mr Qarase was greeting supporters at a traditional ceremony at his home. He says he will retire from politics.

A group of people gathered outside Mr Qarase's residence, singing songs of prayer as coup measures were being enforced.

Some tried to fight back their tears - after all this is Fiji's fourth coup in two decades.

The new authorities were keen to restrict media coverage of their actions which is certain to provoke widespread international condemnation.