The Pacific Islands Forum on Thursday called upon Solomon Islanders to renew their commitment to peace in the wake of violent riots in the South Pacific nation's capital Honiara following Tuesday's parliamentary vote which elected a new prime minister.

Forum Secretary General Greg Urwin said in a statement that "We are deeply concerned about the destruction of property and injury to law enforcement personnel."

"For three years the people of the Solomon Islands have worked hard, with help and support from their regional neighbors through RAMSI (Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands), to restore peace and development to their country. It would be a tragedy to allow that progress to be undone now," he said.

"The recent elections in the country were declared free and fair by international observers including the Forum's own, a testimony to the commitment by Solomon Islanders to uphold democracy and a major achievement for a country that has gone through so much," he said.

He said the 16-member Forum therefore calls on the people of Solomon Islands to respect democracy and allow the due process of installing the government to be completed.

"Solomon Islanders who have concerns about governance and the political process must seek to address them in a peaceful and lawful way. Resorting to violence will achieve nothing," said Urwin.

He emphasized that the Forum Secretariat and other Forum members stand ready to continue assisting Solomon Islands maintainpeace and stability.

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

Source: Xinhua