A team of 20 riot control officers from the Fiji Police's Tactical Response Unit has arrived at Solomon Islands Friday to help restore law and order, according to reports from Suva, capital of Fiji.

Local newspaper Fijitime said the Fiji officers will join Australian and New Zealand soldiers and police already deployed in Honiara, capital of the riot-torn island state.

The men are equipped with side arms and full riot protection gear.

Fiji's police commissioner Andrew Hughes said the request for the assistance came in from the Regional Assistance Mission (RAMSI) through diplomatic channels as well as from police to police and has been approved by the caretaker government.

Calm returned to Honiara on Friday with a show of force by troops from Australia and New Zealand warding off trouble overnight after two days of rioting sparked by the election of a new prime minister.

Source: Xinhua