Violence breaks out in Solomon islands

A journalist reached by telephone in the Solomon Islands said fighting had broken out both east and West of Honiara and at least four people were believed to have been wounded on one side. The New Zealand official and the Solomon Islands journalist both spoke to The Associated Press only on condition their names no tbe used.

Earlier in the day, the government caucus of the Solomon Islands had reconvened a meeting at which officials were expected to vote on a motion that could oust Prime Minister Bartholomew Ulufa’alu from office — the goal of the armed gang that seized Ulufa’alu on Monday.

Ulufa’alu had offered last week to resign as his support dwindled, but the necessary government meeting never took place because officials from around the sprawling island nation did not arrive on time.

Ulufa’alu showed up at on Tuesday’s meeting, accompanied by two armed guards who had seized him but told a reporter for the Solomon Islands Broadcasting Co. "I’m All right," according to a report placed on the broadcaster’s Internet site.