Solomon Islands violence: Australia, NZ send troops; police find three bodies

Australia has rushed police, troops and diplomats to the Solomon Islands to help after anti-government demonstrators defied lockdown orders and took to the streets in violent protests.

The deployment was expected to last for a few weeks, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said.

“Our purpose here is to provide stability and security,” he said.

New Zealand on Wednesday said that it will deploy the military and police personnel in the Solomon Islands joining efforts by Australia.

Australian media reported that three bodies were recovered late Friday in a burned-out building after riots and protests subsided. No other details were given.

Last Wednesday Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare declared a lockdown after about 1,000 people gathered in protest in the capital Honiara demanding his resignation over a host of domestic issues.

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Honiara's Chinatown and its downtown precinct were focuses of rioters, looters and protesters.

Sogavare has blamed outside interference for stirring up the protests calling for his resignation, with a thinly veiled reference to Taiwan and the United States.