A Commonwealth ban on Fiji has been partially lifted, allowing the country to compete in this year's Games.

In 2009, the South Pacific island's Commonwealth membership was suspended after it refused to hold democratic elections following a coup. Neighbouring countries Australia and New Zealand also imposed sanctions.

It meant representatives from the country were banned from Commonwealth councils and Fiji missed the 2010 Games in Delhi.

A meeting of the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group in London yesterday decided the ban should be partially lifted and remain only for councils of the Commonwealth, in recognition of national elections planned for later this year.

The details of the team Fiji will send to Glasgow will now be decided but the country has a strong tradition in the rugby sevens competition, winning medals at the 1998, 2002 and 2006 Games.

Chairman of Glasgow 2014, Lord Smith of Kelvin, said: "The Glasgow 2014 Organising Committee (OC) looks forward to welcoming Fiji's athletes and officials to the city and Scotland as participants in the next Commonwealth Games.

"Discussions on Fiji's participation in this summer's Games will now begin between the OC and the Commonwealth Games Association of Fiji to establish the scale and scope of the team they propose to send to Glasgow."