LONDON, (Reuters) – The Commonwealth said yesterday  it had suspended Fiji after the Pacific Island nation failed to  meet a deadline for opening talks on a return to democracy.

“This is an announcement I make with deep regret — it is a  step the Commonwealth is now obliged to take, and one that it  takes in sorrow,” Commonwealth Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma  said in a statement announcing Fiji’s full suspension from the  grouping of 53 nations, mostly former British colonies.

Fiji had already been suspended from Commonwealth meetings.  The tougher sanction means that Fiji is not eligible for  technical assistance from the Commonwealth and may not take part  in Commonwealth sporting events.

In April, Fiji’s president reappointed coup leader Frank  Bainimarama as interim prime minister, less than two days after  a court ruled his 2006 coup illegal.

President Ratu Josefa Iloilo had previously annulled the  1997 constitution and sacked the entire judiciary.

Bainimarama, who had promised an election this year, has now  ruled it out until 2014.

Commonwealth ministers said on July 31 that Fiji would be  fully suspended on Sept. 1 unless Fiji’s rulers committed to  re-activating a forum set up for political parties to discuss a  return to democracy. They said the dialogue should lead to a  credible election no later than October 2010.

Sharma said that, although Bainimarama had sent him a letter  re-affirming his commitment to the principles of the  Commonwealth, his response did not meet the Commonwealth’s  conditions.

Sharma said he hoped Fiji would take the necessary steps to  restore its full participation in the Commonwealth.