Solomons rebel to meet troops

Some rebels have agreed to lay down weapons

The leader of a multinational peacekeeping force charged with establishing order in Solomon Islands says another former rebel leader has agreed to meet him.

The special co-ordinator of the peacekeeping mission, Nick Warner, said he had made contact with Harold Keke - a rebel leader on the Weather Coast of Guadalcanal island.

Mr Warner said he hoped to meet Mr Keke within a week.

On Friday, Mr Warner held talks with another former rebel leader on Guadalcanal, Andrew Te'e, who agreed to surrender his weapons.

After that meeting, Mr Warner said the peacekeeping forces would establish a police post on the island's southern coast.

Also on Friday, Australia announced a $16m aid programme for Solomon Islands, to help the South Pacific nation reform its prison service and legal system.

The peacekeepers arrived after the Solomons government asked for international help to end three years of civil conflict.