www.pm.gov.au
PRIME MINISTER: I'm joined by the Minister for Foreign Affairs and joined by the Minister for the Pacific. A planned protest yesterday in the Solomon Islands escalated into a series of incidents leading to public disorder. This included the destruction of a leaf hut just adjacent to the Parliament, a Police Station and a high school. The situation remains volatile, with reasonably large crowds on the move. The Royal Solomon Islands Police Force has been stretched. As of an hour ago, we have received reports of more buildings burning on the main road in the centre of Honiara, including a large commercial building and a bank branch, and there are an increasing number of people on the streets. I can confirm, though, as can the Minister of Foreign Affairs, that all Australian High Commission staff are safely accounted for as our locally engaged staff at this time. We've been monitoring these developments since yesterday and over the course of today.
Earlier this afternoon, I received a formal request from the Prime Minister of the Solomon Islands, Prime Minister Sogavare. Under our 2017 bilateral security agreement under Article two, clause one, for assistance for the provision of safety and security of the Solomon Islands.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has announced more than 100 Federal Police and Defence Force personnel will be deployed to the Solomon Islands to assist the nation amid widespread civil unrest.
www.skynews.com.au
The National Parliament building, a police station, and businesses have been set alight during two tumultuous days in which police failed to control the mob.
www.nbcnews.com
CANBERRA, Australia — Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare on Friday blamed foreign interference over his government’s decision to
switch alliances from Taiwan to
Beijing for
anti-government protests, arson, and looting that have ravaged the capital Honiara in recent days.