Security restored in Tonga

Source: CCTV.com | 11-20-2006 10:40

New Zealand's Prime Minister Helen Clark says peace has been restored to Tonga. She made the comment on Sunday before leaving the APEC Informal leaders meeting in Hanoi.

Clark said international troops have secured the airport in Tonga's riot-scarred capital of Naku'alofa. She also says commercial flights out of the country... will resume on Monday. About 150 police and soldiers from Australia and New Zealand arrived on Saturday, at the request of Tonga's government. This, after a mob rampage on Thursday killed at least eight people and seriously damaged the capital's business district. Meanwhile, many Tongan residents have been evacuated. Rioters have been targeting Tongans connected to the country's government and royal family. The protests were sparked by the Tongan government's refusal to impose democratic reforms in the country. But facing escalating violence, the government has agreed to new elections in 2008.

Editor:Wang Ping