Briefly

SOLOMON ISLANDS

PM Sogavare hits out at Western 'agents'

Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare on Wednesday accused "agents of Western powers" and shadowy enemies of trying to "pull down" his government. Accusing the United States of having a "geopolitical superiority complex", he claimed the end of the US hegemony in the Pacific. "We must wake up. Those days are over," he said, while pointing to Chinese investment as a means of breaking his country's dependence on foreign aid. Elections had been expected earlier this year, but were delayed after Sogavare said it was not possible to hold a vote until after Solomon Islands hosted the Pacific Games. Parliament is expected to be dissolved later this month, paving the way for elections in the first quarter of next year. No date has been set yet.