Observers say the quiet naval commodore has never even been seen as a strong leader.
He appears to be running the most polite form of martial law he can muster. A naval officer, he was appointed as chief of staff a year ago. New Zealand defence analyst Jim Rolfe described him as a quiet, reflective man who believed in constitutional norms. Many Fijian soldiers and reserves have served in Middle East peacekeeping forces, but with a career in the navy Commodore Bainimarama has not even had that experience. Their tactics in the Lebanon were that they were very firm.