(ANSA-AFP) - HONIARA, NOV 29 - The Fiji islands will deploy 50 soldiers in the peace force led by Australia in the Solomon Islands, after days of riots that have devastated part of the capital Honiara. This was announced today by Fijian Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama.
"To ensure the safety and well-being of our Pacific brothers and sisters in the Solomon Islands, 50 Fiji soldiers will be sent to Honiara tomorrow as part of an integrated reinforced quota to Australian forces to help maintain peace and security," Bainimarama tweeted.
This reinforcement will bring the peacekeeping force to nearly 200 traffickers and policemen, mostly Australians with the participation of 34 Papua New Guinea men. The Solomon Islands crisis erupted last week with three days of riots in Honiara among a population suffering from poverty, hunger and expressing anger over the policies of the government of the 800,000-strong country. The government is accused of being corrupt and accountable to Beijing and other foreign interests. During the riots, in which at least three people were killed, protesters tried to burn down the prime minister's private residence and parliament before being dispersed by police with tear gas and warning shots. Today the residents of the capital continue to clean up the city,where the Chinese quarter has been reduced to a field of rubble. (ANSA-AFP).