Papua New Guinea (PNG) Prime Minister Michael Somare said Friday he expects an investigation into the Solomon Island's attorney-general Julian Moti's departure will be completed on Monday.

Somare has expressed deep regret over the surprise departure of Moti from his country earlier this week, Australian Broadcasting Corporation radio reported.

The prime minister said in a written statement that he regrets the incident, and acknowledges Australia's concern about Moti's escape.

Somare said the laws of Papua New Guinea must be upheld.

Moti, an Australian lawyer, has escaped from PNG to the Solomons on board a PNG defense plane. He is in custody for entering the Solomon Islands illegally.

Moti was appointed as the Solomons attorney-general on September 21 and was arrested a week later in PNG at the request of the Australian government. Australia is seeking to have him extradited to face child sex charges.

He had been taking diplomatic refuge in the Solomon Islands High Commission in PNG's capital of Port Moresby since jumping bail a fortnight ago.

Moti's case is now the focus of the strained relations between the Solomons and Australia, which is sparked by the expulsion of Australian high commissioner last month.

Canberra is not happy with the appointment of Moti, a personal friend of Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare, and is seen to have an anti-Australian influence on the prime minister.

But Australia has denied its pursuit of Moti is politically motivated.

Source: Xinhua