Auckland, June 1 NZPA - Fiji will remain suspended from the Pacific Island Forum because no significant progress has been made in persuading its interim government to return to democracy, regional leaders say.

The forum's ministerial contact group met in Auckland yesterday for an update on its attempts to talk the military regime of Commodore Voreqe (Frank) Bainimarama into holding elections.

After the meeting Foreign Minister Murray McCully said Fiji, represented by its Foreign Minister Ratu Inoke Kubuabola, had presented a report which contained familiar shortcomings.

"The engagement of people in Fiji in the dialogue of reform does not include all of the stakeholders in Fiji, which is the reason we have been unable to make significant progress," Mr McCully said.

Australian Foreign Minister Steven Smith said the forum remained "very strongly attached" to the resolution from its leaders that Fiji be suspended because of its moves away from democracy.

Both foreign ministers said continued dialogue with Fiji was necessary.