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Foreign forces arrive in Tonga after riots
 Soldiers and police from New Zealand arrived in Tonga yesterday to help restore order after riots that left at least eight people dead and trashed most of the capital's business district, officials said. A contingent of 60 troops and 10 police flew in from New Zealand to secure the Pacific Island nation's only international airport after foreign airlines refused to use it due to a lack of security, said Tongan Defence Services spokesman Major Veehala. Another 50 troops and 35 police from Australia, including forensic experts to identify the bodies of those who died in fires during the riots, were due to arrive yesterday.The troops will secure vital infrastructure including power stations, broadcasting systems and key government buildings. Two more Chinese shops in Tonga were torched in attacks overnight, two days after rioting destroyed much of the capital, Nuku'alofa, but the city was "reasonably calm" yesterday, Police Commander Sinilau Kolokihakaufisi told The Associated Press. "We hope the situation remains calm." Posted by: Fred 2006-11-19 |
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