Solomons parliament approves intervention force

HONIARA - The Solomon Islands parliament on Thursday approved plans for an Australian-led force of 2000 police and troops to restore order in the lawless South Pacific state, an Australian news agency said.

The Australian Associated Press said the vote was unanimous in the parliament, despite some criticism the plan was an attempt to re-colonise the former British protectorate, which has suffered ethnic violence and a 2000 coup.

Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said plans were proceeding for the force, made up of 200 police, 200 troops and 1500 support crew, to be in place by the end of July. An advance party of about 15 planners arrived in Honiara on Tuesday.

Australia and New Zealand helped broker a fragile peace deal in October 2000 which was signed by most of the combatants.

One of those who ignored the 2000 peace deal was notorious warlord Harold Keke. Keke, whose followers are accused of killing, torturing and raping dozens of people in his Weathercoast stronghold on Guadalcanal, agreed to a ceasefire at the weekend.

The deployment would be the biggest military force in the South Pacific since World War Two.

- REUTERS