Australia deploys peacekeepers as riots rock Solomon Islands

Australia rushed peacekeepers to the Solomon Islands yesterday hoping to quell riots that threatened to topple the Pacific nation's government and left its capital ablaze.

After a second day of widespread protests and looting in Honiara, Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare called on neighbouring Australia for help.

The first contingent of a 100-strong Australian police and military force was due to arrive late yesterday, as a defiant Sogavare said that although the country had been "brought to its knees" by unrest, he would not resign.