CANBERRA, Australia, May 24 (UPI) -- Australia will begin withdrawing troops from the Solomon Islands following the restoration of relative calm in the former British protectorate.
Defense Minister Brendan Nelson said the withdrawal would begin next week, but 140 of the 400 soldiers deployed to the Solomons would remain.
The troops were sent to the Solomons last month amid rioting in the capital Honiara sparked by parliament's election of Snyder Rini as prime minister. Rini was soon replaced by Manasseh Sogavare.
The Solomon Islands government first requested Australian assistance in 2003 to help restore law and order as violence between ethnic militia's rocked the country. Since then, a multinational mission has been aiding the country.
"Following a review of the security situation and in consultation with the Solomon Islands government and our regional military partners, the Australian Defense Force will commence a drawdown of its enhanced presence in the Solomon Islands," Nelson was quoted Wednesday by The Australian.
Nelson added that riots in April "underline the serious nature of the problems and the need for a long-term commitment on the part of the region" in helping the Solomon Islands maintain political stability.
