Two die as Solomons rivals clash

SYDNEY - Fighting between warring ethnic militias broke out near the Solomon Islands capital of Honiara yesterday, with reports of at least two militiamen killed.

"I'm concerned about the escalation of fighting between the two groups and would like to see ceasefire talks start as soon possible," newly elected Prime Minister Mannasseh Sogavare said.

A reporter for the Solomon Star newspaper in Honiara said that fighting broke out between the Malaitan Eagles Force and the Isatabu Freedom Movement militias at Alligator Creek outside Honiara.

"It was a huge fight," the reporter said, adding he had seen a photograph of two dead Isatabu fighters.

Unconfirmed reports in Honiara said that up to 30 may have been killed.

Sogavare was voted Prime Minister at an emergency sitting of Parliament on Friday to replace deposed Premier Bartholomew Ulufa'alu, who stood down after an attempted coup by the Malaita Eagles on June 5.

The Malaita Eagles and Isatabu fighters from Guadalcanal have been fighting for dominance on the Solomons' main island of Guadalcanal for the past 18 months.

The Guadalcanal islanders are resentful of Malaitan migration to their island where they have taken many top jobs in Honiara.

- REUTERS