Goff Off To The Solomons

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.

© Scoop Media