Fiji's military has been called in to help maintain security in the country following an election last week which saw the incumbent government lose its majority.
The formation of a new coalition earlier this week is expected to lead to the end of 16 years of rule by former coup leader and prime minister Frank Bainimarama.
Mr Bainimarama's Fiji First Party has not conceded defeat, but a coalition of three parties say they have a combined majority and have agreed on People's Alliance leader Sitiveni Rabuka as prime minister.
In a statement, Police Commissioner Brigadier General Sitiveni Qiliho said the decision to call in the military was in response to "threats made against minority groups".
"A decision has been reached to call in the Republic of Fiji Military Forces to assist Police with the maintenance of security and stability that we have enjoyed," it said.
Brigadier General Qiliho said he met with Mr Bainimarama, the defence minister and the military commander, and they came to an agreement on the military helping police with "the maintenance of law and order, amidst growing concerns of racial tension".
In a social media post, Mr Bainimarama described the reports of "violence targeted at Indo-Fijian homes and businesses" as "deeply disturbing".
"These attacks — which are no doubt fuelled by racist vitriol on social media — must end," he said.
"The [military] has been deployed to complement the police in maintaining law and order. If you see violence being committed, report it!"
Opposition parties have disputed reports from police and have called for evidence of the attacks.
The Pacific island nation, with a population of 900,000, had a history of military coups before constitutional reform in 2013 to remove a race-based voting system that favoured Indigenous Fijians over ethnic Indians.
Mr Bainimarama has been prime minister for 16 years, taking power in a coup and later winning two democratic elections in 2014 and 2018. Mr Rabuka is also a former coup leader.
'People have voted for change'
Earlier on Thursday, National Federation Party leader Biman Prasad accused Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum — who holds five portfolios and is seen as Fiji First's main powerbroker — of "trying to create fear in the minds of people".
"He is not accepting they lost this election, people voted for change," Mr Prasad said.
In a statement, New Zealand Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta told Reuters she was aware of the situation unfolding in Fiji and encouraged all parties to allow the constitutional process to play out.
An Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade spokesperson said information for Australians in Fiji was available through the Smartraveller web page.
"Australians in Fiji are encouraged to subscribe to Smartraveller," the spokesperson said.
In a statement on social media, Mr Rabuka called for calm.
"Reports of violent incidents overnight by the Commissioner of Police are disturbing and must cease immediately," he said.
"I urge the people of Fiji to respect the rule of law, and to allow the political process to continue without hindrance.
"The PA-NFP-SODELPA coalition condemns any attempt to derail the peaceful democratic process through violent acts or any acts of hooliganism."
He urged leaders "of all political parties, religions and communities" to "respect for the rule of law".
"The coalition aspires to the peaceful transition of power that can achieve through mutual respect for each other," he said.
A new prime minister is due to be elected by MPs when parliament is convened by the president, but a date for that meeting is yet to be set.
The Social Democratic Liberal Party (SODELPA), a powerbroker holding three seats in the hung parliament, supports policies favouring Indigenous Fijians, and on Tuesday signed a coalition agreement with Rabuka's People's Alliance and the National Federation Party.
However, SODELPA's board plans to meet again on Friday, after the validity of the decision to back the coalition was challenged by the party's general secretary and Fiji's supervisor of elections.
On Wednesday, Mr Sayed-Khaiyum told media that under the nation's constitution, Mr Bainimarama would remain prime minister until MPs returned to parliament within two weeks to vote on the next leader.
Mr Sayed-Khaiyum questioned the validity of the internal voting, which led to one of the parties joining Mr Rabuka's coalition.
He lashed out at Mr Rabuka, accusing him of sowing division in Fiji.
"The entire rationale of this man has been to divide Fiji to gain political supremacy," he said.
"And we can see that simmering through again. In fact, it's not simmering, it's boiling."
Anna Powles, from the Centre for Defence and Security Studies at Massey University in Wellington, said the international community would be carefully watching how the democratic process unfolded.
"Given Fiji's recent history, there will certainly be concern on the ground in Fiji over the coming days," she said.
Dr Powles said domestic political factors were driving current events, rather than them being part of a broader geopolitical situation.
ABC/wires
