Australia sends troops and police to Solomon Islands amid unrest

The first personnel are due to arrive on Thursday night with more on Friday, and the deployment was expected to last for a few weeks, Mr Morrison said

Smoke rises from burning buildings during a protest in Honiara, Solomon Islands. Picture: Australian Broadcasting Corporation via AP

Australia is sending police, troops and diplomats to the Solomon Islands to help after anti-government demonstrators defied lockdown orders and took to the streets for a second day in violent protests.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the deployment would include a detachment of 23 federal police officers and up to 50 more to provide security at critical infrastructure sites, as well as 43 defence force personnel, a patrol boat and at least five diplomats.