Security high at Solomons meeting

Foreign troops are among those trying to restore order

Hundreds of police and soldiers surrounded the Solomon Islands parliament, for its first meeting since the outbreak of violence last week.

The election of Snyder Rini as prime minister last Tuesday triggered riots over claims that either China or Taiwan had paid lawmakers to vote for him.

Many Chinese businesses were looted during the violence, and parts of the capital Honiara were left in ruins.

Hundreds of ethnic Chinese have since left the country.

Ahead of Monday's session, heavily-armed police and military guarded the roads leading to the parliament building.

Many were from Australia, New Zealand and Fiji - which have all sent reinforcements to the Solomons in an effort to quell the rioting.

There were fears that the meeting - in which the 50 lawmakers who won their seats in parliamentary elections on 5 April were to be sworn in - would spark further violence.

Solomon Island Police Commissioner Shane Castles told reporters before the session began that "Parliament House will be locked down, and people will not be allowed within a stone's throwing distance".

In the event, the swearing-in ceremony took place uninterrupted, although an opposition lawmaker, Charles Dausabea, was detained as he left parliament.

Mr Dausabea was arrested for "intimidation," police said. It is not clear what charges he faces, but police say they have evidence that some politicians were involved in the unrest.

Mr Dausabea is the third opposition MP to be arrested in the wake of the riots.

Bribery claims

The violence was sparked by the appointment of former deputy prime minister Mr Rini as the country's new prime minister.

Mr Rini has already faced accusations that he is too closely linked to former Prime Minister Allan Kemakeza's administration, which was tainted by corruption allegations.

Opponents also claim he used money from Chinese and Taiwanese backers to bribe MPs into voting for him.

Mr Rini has denied the claims, and challenged those making the allegations "to take the evidence to the police".