SUVA, Dec 5 (Reuters) - Armed Fijian troops surrounded the residence of embattled Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase on Tuesday, isolating him from the rest of the capital Suva, after he said a coup was under way in the South Pacific nation.

Some 40 troops armed with M16s cut off the road leading to Qarase's residence and positioned themselves at the rear of his home, after earlier confiscating his motor vehicles. Qarase is inside his home meeting with several cabinet ministers.

Military commander Frank Bainimarama has repeatedly threatened to topple Qarase's government, which won a second five-year term in May, claiming it is corrupt.

Fiji has had three coups since 1987.

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