march moved from Government House to surround parliament, while mobs of youths burned and looted Indo-Fijian-owned shops in Suva. President Kamisese Mara responded by declaring a state of emergency and police imposed a curfew. Former Prime Minister Rabuka initially acted as a negotiator attempting to free the hostages, but was later dismissed after Speight decided he could no longer trust him. On 20 May ten hostages were released after resigning from the government. In a televised press conference Speight swore in Jope Seniloli as interim president, and was then sworn in as Prime Minister, with Silatolu as his deputy and Rakuita Vakalalabure as attorney-general. Chaudhry was beaten after refusing to resign. Police and the RFMF failed to control access to parliament, allowing people to come and go freely while negotiations continued. On 26 May the RFMF finally attempted to establish a cordon, resulting in a confrontation with Speight in the presence of international media. The same day fifteen soldiers and two military officers defected to the rebels. The next day, 200 rebels confronted soldiers at the cordon, resulting in gunfire and two soldiers and a camera operator being wounded. The next day President Mara sacked Chaudhry for being unable to perform his functions and appointed Tevita Momoedonu, the sole cabinet member who was not in parliament when it was seized, as Prime Minister. After advising Mara to prorogue parliament for six months, Momoedonu resigned, leaving Mara with "unfettered executive authority". Military coup and negotiations On 28 May, following the broadcast of a news segment critical of Speight, a rebel mob attacked the Fiji TV station, killing a police officer. The breakdown of law and order saw Chief Justice Timoci Tuivaga and other judges advise RFMF commander Frank Bainimarama to take control on the basis of "necessity". After a meeting with Bainimarama and Rabuka, Mara resigned. Bainimarama then declared martial law, revoked the 1997 constitution, and took control of the country, declaring himself head of state. Bainimarama initially named former army commander Epeli Nailatikau as Prime Minister, but withdrew the nomination the next day after objections from Speight. Bainimarama then deferred the appointment of a civilian government "until the climate is right", but committed that "Mahendra Chaudhry will no longer come back as Prime Minister". The military regime then began talks with Speight aimed at the release of the hostages. On 4 June, talks broke down, and the military issued an