Pohnpei, FSM: The President of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) has cautioned against the Pacific Islands Forum from being too hard on Fiji.

President Emanuael Mori told Radio Australia’s Pacific Beat programme, Fiji must return to democratic rule but there needed to be room to speak with the military leadership

“Somebody has to be talking to Fiji, and I don't want Fiji to be suspended and we cannot talk to Fiji,” he said.

“I would rather see Fiji continue to be a apart of forum, so we can effectively talk and convince them to return to the democratic processes.”

Mr Mori also said there needed to be realistic solutions to solve the Pacific nation's problems.

“We need to unite and work on common and achievable solutions for Fiji...to isolate Fiji as one of the options, I don't think that's realistic,”

His comments come after Fiji authorities arrested key leaders from the country's Methodist church.

The events make it certain Fiji will again be discussed at the Pacific Islands Forum, which meets next month in the northern Australian city of Cairns.