Fiji's suspension from the Pacific Islands Forum can be avoided if the Forum leaders understand the real problems the country face, said Fiji's Labour Party leader.
"I don't think we will solve this problem by imposing sanctions, there needs to be more dialogue, both locally and internationally, "the Fijilive website on Tuesday quoted Labor Party leader Mahendra Chaudhry as saying.
"We have got to find a solution to Fiji's problem that is how we are going to have to look at it, that's where all efforts should be directed and that can only be done through dialogue and discussion," he added.
The former prime minister hoped that with Fiji's Presidents Political Dialogue Forum convening soon, Fiji will have an opportunity to engage with the international community, the Commonwealth and the United Nations and find a solution to its problems.
"It takes time to sort out these problems and then we can look at having elections. The changes to the constitutional structure, the feelings of the people on the coup and the interim government as a whole, as long as there is a timeline that is fair for all," he said.
At the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Special meeting held in Papua New Guinea in January, Fiji was given an ultimatum to hold elections by December this year or face suspension.