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| Overseas troops arrive in Tonga | Overseas troops arrive in Tonga |
| (about 5 hours later) | |
| About 150 soldiers and police officers from Australia and New Zealand have arrived in Tonga following an appeal for help to restore order after riots. | About 150 soldiers and police officers from Australia and New Zealand have arrived in Tonga following an appeal for help to restore order after riots. |
| At least eight people died when crowds ransacked much of the centre of the Pacific nation's capital, Nuku'alofa. | At least eight people died when crowds ransacked much of the centre of the Pacific nation's capital, Nuku'alofa. |
| The city is now said to be calm but a state of emergency has been declared. The unrest was sparked by concern about the slow pace of democratic reform. | The city is now said to be calm but a state of emergency has been declared. The unrest was sparked by concern about the slow pace of democratic reform. |
| The government has now announced major changes ahead of elections in 2008. | The government has now announced major changes ahead of elections in 2008. |
| Australia has sent about 85 of the troops and police officers deployed, with New Zealand providing the remainder. | Australia has sent about 85 of the troops and police officers deployed, with New Zealand providing the remainder. |
| Australia's Prime Minister John Howard and his New Zealand counterpart Helen Clark announced the mission at a joint press conference in Vietnam, where they are attending a regional summit. | Australia's Prime Minister John Howard and his New Zealand counterpart Helen Clark announced the mission at a joint press conference in Vietnam, where they are attending a regional summit. |
| "Being the largest and wealthiest countries in the region, part of our responsibility is to help," said Mr Howard. | "Being the largest and wealthiest countries in the region, part of our responsibility is to help," said Mr Howard. |
| Soothe tensions | Soothe tensions |
| Many buildings in Nuku'alofa have been destroyed in the rioting, including the government and prime minister's offices, the power company, Nuku'alofa's only bank and a number of Chinese-owned shops. | Many buildings in Nuku'alofa have been destroyed in the rioting, including the government and prime minister's offices, the power company, Nuku'alofa's only bank and a number of Chinese-owned shops. |
| In pictures: Tonga riots | |
| The trouble has been blamed on gangs with links to pro-democracy groups, says the BBC's Phil Mercer in Sydney. | The trouble has been blamed on gangs with links to pro-democracy groups, says the BBC's Phil Mercer in Sydney. |
| They have been agitating for political reform in a country where the king wields enormous power. | They have been agitating for political reform in a country where the king wields enormous power. |
| The embattled government of Prime Minister Fred Sevele has now announced sweeping reforms, which it is hoped will soothe tensions in Nuku'alofa, our correspondent says. | The embattled government of Prime Minister Fred Sevele has now announced sweeping reforms, which it is hoped will soothe tensions in Nuku'alofa, our correspondent says. |
| The intervention by Australia follows similar action in the Solomon Islands and comes amid fears of a military coup in Fiji, our correspondent adds. | The intervention by Australia follows similar action in the Solomon Islands and comes amid fears of a military coup in Fiji, our correspondent adds. |
| Australia is concerned that trouble in the region could be exploited by extremists or drug traffickers. | Australia is concerned that trouble in the region could be exploited by extremists or drug traffickers. |
| Reform plans | Reform plans |
| The rioting began after the government assembly failed to pass democratic reforms before it went into recess. | The rioting began after the government assembly failed to pass democratic reforms before it went into recess. |
| The Tongan king appoints 10 of the 14 cabinet members to their posts for life, with the other four reserved for "nobility". | The Tongan king appoints 10 of the 14 cabinet members to their posts for life, with the other four reserved for "nobility". |
| Hereditary noblemen hold the majority of seats in the country's parliament. | Hereditary noblemen hold the majority of seats in the country's parliament. |
| After the death of King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV in September, a government committee recommended that all lawmakers be elected by the public. | After the death of King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV in September, a government committee recommended that all lawmakers be elected by the public. |
| King Tupou IV reigned for 41 years and was opposed to reforms. | King Tupou IV reigned for 41 years and was opposed to reforms. |
| His son and heir, Siaosi Tupou V, is thought to be more in favour of change. | His son and heir, Siaosi Tupou V, is thought to be more in favour of change. |
| Are you in Tonga? Have you been affected by the riots? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below. | |