The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Phil Goff, has said he will continue to go with a ministerial team to the Solomon
Island capital Honiara despite the resumption of heavy fighting in the city
Mr. Goff heads a ministerial team which plans to visit both Fiji and the Solomons to highlight Australasian opposition
to the military coups in both countries. The team also includes Australian politicians.
Fighting between the Malaitian Eagles Force and Guadalcanal rebels in and around Honiara has increased in the last few
days, leading to speculation a civil war may break out. Yesterday a plane aborted its landing at Honiara airport after
it was fired upon by militants.
Mr. Goff says the group has rescheduled its plans and is now flying to Fiji first, arriving in the Solomons one day
later than originally planned. The Minister says the final decision of whether it is safe to land in the Solomons will
be made by the plane’s pilot.
Solomon Islands' Prime Minister Barthalomew Ulufa'alu remains under house arrest today despite an assurance yesterday
from the Malaitian Eagle Force he would be freed. He has been held captive since Monday.