The Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare has been accused of snubbing Australia's new high commissioner to the Pacific island nation's capital of Honiara in a deliberate move to shut down communication between the two countries.

The diplomatic relations between the two countries are believed to have sunk to a new low after the accusations.

Australia's new high commissioner Peter Hooton replaced Patrick Cole, who was controversially expelled by Sogavare amid allegations he had interfered in the country's internal political affairs last year.

But almost three weeks after his arrival in the Pacific nation, Hooton is still waiting to formally present his letter of appointment to Sogavare as part of a diplomatic protocol enabling access to politicians and bureaucrats, The Australian, one of the leading newspapers, reported Friday.

It is understood Sogavare has canceled two meetings with Hooton without explanation since his arrival on January 20, defying repeated protests from Australia that the high commissioner- designate was powerless to do his job.

Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade issued a statement Thursday night, expressing "disappointment" over the diplomatic snub.

Source: Xinhua