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01:08AM, 25 Apr 2006

Solomons Rock Thrower Arrested    
4:39 PM, 22 Apr 2006
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Authorities have arrested a man they allege threw the first rock at Solomon Islands' Prime Minister Snyder Rini in the outbreak of violence in Honiara this week.

They say he will face a range of charges.

The police say the capital city was calm during last night's lock-down, with eight arrests.

Six of the arrests were for breaches of the curfew, and a man was arrested for stealing a vehicle from the destroyed Pacific Casino Hotel

A senior official says there are indications that the recent violence was pre-meditated and instigated by a key group of perpetrators.

The deputy co-ordinator of the Regional Assistance Mission, New Zealander Paul Ash, says the police believe the protests were planned and were a response to political events.

Ministers for the new cabinet are being sworn in at Government House today.

The number of troops and police in Solomons continues to grow. The police say there is potential for a flare-up of violence with the first sitting of parliament on Monday.

The Australia Foreign Affairs Minister Alexander Downer is travelling to Solomon Islands today for talks with the new Prime Minister, Snyder Rini.

Mr Downer says he is shocked by the violence of the past week as Mr Rini's opponents burned parts of the capital, Honiara in protest at his election.

Mr Downer is expected to deliver a stern message to Mr Rini to tackle corruption and develop good governance.

He says he will also be discussing what strategies the Prime Minister has to address the deep-seated tensions within the Solomon Islands community.

Meanwhile, New Zealand troops and police in Solomon Islands will spend the weekend guarding the local prison and patrolling the streets the riot-damaged capital Honiara.

Some of them will also carry out duties on the neighbouring island of Malaita

Up to 53 more New Zealand troops will leave for the Solomons tomorrow.

They will be tasked with protecting infrastructure and seeking out those responsible for the burning and looting of Chinatown at the beginning of the week.

Australian and New Zealand forces say they are determined to provide a calm and stable atmosphere, free of intimidation so the Solomon Islands prime minister, Snyder Rini, can get on with the task of running the country.

© NewsRoom 2006