The Australian government on Wednesday warned Australians against traveling to the Solomon Islands amid violent riots in the South Pacific nation's capital following Tuesday's parliamentary vote which elected a new prime minister.

Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) has reviewed and reissued its travel advisory, which contains new information on the civil unrest in Honiara, the Solomon Islands' capital.

The overall level of the advice for the Solomon Islands has increased.

"We advise you to reconsider your need to travel to Solomon Islands at this time because of continuing significant civil unrest in Honiara following the announcement on 18 April of the results of the recent prime ministerial elections," DFAT said.

The advisory suggests travelers avoid unnecessary travel and crowds in and around the city center, eastern Honiara and Chinatown areas in particular.

"If you decide to travel to Solomon Islands, you should exercise extreme caution. Monitor the media for information about possible new safety or security risks," it added.

The violence, in which protesters claimed the poll was rigged, is the worst unrest in Honiara since Australia, New Zealand and other Pacific governments intervened by sending troops there in 2003 to help end years of bloody ethnic gang conflict.

Australia has decided to send more troops and policemen to the Solomons, with some of them to be deployed later Wednesday.

Source: Xinhua