Antigua and Barbuda plans to hold a referendum on becoming a republic within the next three years. The Caribbean nation's prime minister  Gaston Browne told this to British media.<br />''<br />''The tiny Caribbean island nation, which became independent from Britain in 1981, is one of 14 Commonwealth members who share the UK monarch as their head of state.<br />''<br />''Mr. Brown said becoming a republic was a final step to complete the circle of independence to ensure to become a sovereign nation.<br />''<br />''<span style="color: #222222;">He, however, clarified that a referendum was not an act of hostility and would not involve retiring Commonwealth membership.</span><br />