Concern over riots, unrest

New Zealand’s Government has issued a statement expressing deep concern over rioting and unrest in the Solomon Islands but says no requests for assistance have yet been received. Police have been overrun in the Solomon Islands capital of Honiara as people swarmed into town in defiance of a 36-hour lockdown. It followed protests earlier in the week against Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare. In a public address yesterday, Sogavare said he had been asked to step down but would not. Yesterday, New Zealand’s acting foreign affairs minister, David Parker, issued the statement. Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison confirmed Australian police and defence force personnel had begun arriving there after a request from Sogavare. Parker said New Zealand welcomed the generosity shown by Australia, but no requests for assistance had been received.