Embattled Solomon Islands PM quits, sparking celebrations

Solomon Islands Prime Minister Snyder Rini, whose election sparked rioting and looting, resigned yesterday saying he no longer had the support of parliament, sparking celebrations on the streets of the capital.

Protests last week against Rini's election spiralled into widespread looting, targeting the Chinese community in Honiara, before the arrival of Australian and New Zealand troops to restore peace.

Rini, whose premiership lasted only eight days, said he hoped his decision to step down would bring peace to the Solomons, an impoverished nation of 992 islands spread out over 1.35 million square kilometres.

"I did not resign as a result of the calls by the protesters. I did not yield to the calls of the protesters because I did not want to set a bad precedent for future prime ministers of this country," Rini said in a statement.

The news was greeted by impromptu celebrations in the streets with people cheering and drivers honking their horns.

Rini's resignation came shortly before a scheduled vote of no confidence against him, which he had earlier said he was confident of surviving, despite parliament being evenly divided with 25 MPs each for the government and opposition.

But when Rini entered parliament, five members of his new government were sitting with the opposition. He was then offered the chance to resign and announced he was stepping down.

The Solomons head of state will now call for nominations for the position of prime minister, with a vote possible on Monday.

One of Rini's defectors, former Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare, has announced his candidacy.

"It is very important that there is a free and unencumbered vote by members of the parliament...and that they choose a government that will serve the people of the Solomon Islands well," said Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer.

Solomons voters ousted half their parliament in a national election in early April, but it was not enough to unseat the government.

A dusk-to-dawn curfew is now in place in Honiara as heavily armed foreign troops patrol the streets.

The city's Chinatown was destroyed, with buildings burnt to the ground. Hundreds of Chinese took shelter with the Red Cross before fleeing the country.

The Solomons was on the brink of collapse in 2003 due to ethnic fighting, prompting Australia to lead a multinational peacekeeping force to the island nation to restore peace.

Source: China Daily