Related News
Papua New Guinea under military mutiny
Source: Xinhua |
January 26, 2012, Thursday
|
Online Edition
Online Edition
A group of rebel soldiers in Papua New Guinea took commander of the country's defense force captive, Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported today.
A senior source in the PNG defense force told ABC News that a group of between 12 and 20 soldiers overpowered guards at the Taurama barracks in Port Moresby of PNG around 3am this morning.
The group took the commanding officer captive, then moved to Murray Barracks and placed the head of the defense force, Commander Francis Agwi, under house arrest.
According to ABC News, it is not clear if the incident is related to the conflict between Peter O'Neill and Sir Michael Somare over the country's prime ministership.
Sir Michael was ousted as prime minister and replaced by O'Neill in August last year, after his seat was declared vacant while he received medical treatment in Singapore.
In December, the Supreme Court ordered Sir Michael's reinstatement as prime minister and as an MP.
But despite that order, O'Neill remained the effective prime minister with the support of the public service, police, defense force and most MPs.
Last week, there were rowdy scenes in the parliament when Sir Michael walked in brandishing the court order and demanding his reinstatement.
He was warned by O'Neill that he could be arrested if he shows up again.
A senior source in the PNG defense force told ABC News that a group of between 12 and 20 soldiers overpowered guards at the Taurama barracks in Port Moresby of PNG around 3am this morning.
The group took the commanding officer captive, then moved to Murray Barracks and placed the head of the defense force, Commander Francis Agwi, under house arrest.
According to ABC News, it is not clear if the incident is related to the conflict between Peter O'Neill and Sir Michael Somare over the country's prime ministership.
Sir Michael was ousted as prime minister and replaced by O'Neill in August last year, after his seat was declared vacant while he received medical treatment in Singapore.
In December, the Supreme Court ordered Sir Michael's reinstatement as prime minister and as an MP.
But despite that order, O'Neill remained the effective prime minister with the support of the public service, police, defense force and most MPs.
Last week, there were rowdy scenes in the parliament when Sir Michael walked in brandishing the court order and demanding his reinstatement.
He was warned by O'Neill that he could be arrested if he shows up again.
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 沪ICP证：沪ICP备05050403号-1
- |
- 互联网新闻信息服务许可证：31120180004
- |
- 网络视听许可证：0909346
- |
- 广播电视节目制作许可证：沪字第354号
- |
- 增值电信业务经营许可证：沪B2-20120012
Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
