HONIARA, Solomon Islands (6 June 2000) -- More than 1,000 people are involved in gun battles around Henderson Field Airport in the capital city of Honiara. The fighting is between the Malaita Eagles militia group and the Isatabu Freedom Movement (IFM). The two groups have been fighting for over a year as the IFM tries to force migrants from the island of Malaita off the main island of Guadalcanal. The IFM group claims that Malaitans have been taking over on the main island. The Malaita Eagles rebels overran the capital two days ago and took the prime minister hostage at gunpoint. Prime Minister Ulufa'alu is from the island of Malaita but has been accused of failing to support the Malaitans. | | Government officials from New Zealand and Australia fear the situation could quickly develop into a civil war. © CDNN - CYBER DIVER NEWS NETWORK |
