The Australian government today said it may use force to end a tense standoff with about 300 armed asylum seekers who rioted and torched a building at a remote detention camp over the weekend.

More than 300 detainees armed with knives and sharpened broomsticks were in a stand-off against security guards tonight at an illegal-immigrant detention centre in Australia’s remote northwest, officials said.

The Australian government today defended the use of tear gas and water cannons to break up protests at detention centres for illegal immigrants.