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Concerns are growing that Fiji is on the brink of a military coup.

Tensions are growing between the democratically elected government and the army, with Australia positioning two navy ships close by in case its citizens need to be evacuated.

Relations between the government and the military hit a new low on 31 October when a government order to replace army chief Frank Bainimarama was ignored by another senior military officer.

Commodore Bainimarama has repeatedly threatened to remove the government from power in the past, but Fiji's prime minister remains defiant.

'I declare emphatically that there is absolutely no question of me resigning in response to the situation or of my government standing down,' said prime minister Laisenia Qarase during an address to the nation.

'The international community is now more proactive in protecting democratically elected governments when the rule of law and its constitutionality are threatened or overturned.'

Australia, New Zealand and the US have all expressed their concern over the prospect of a military coup, with each expressing their desire to see the matter resolved democratically.

'We urge Fiji's military leadership to refrain from any actions that could be seen as a provocation or threat to the democratically-elected government,' said US State Department spokesman Sean McCormack.

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