Metro Plus News Australian police to stay in Solomon Islands until 2024 election – government

Australian police to stay in Solomon Islands until 2024 election – government

Australian police will stay in the Solomon Islands to provide security for a regional sporting event in November and national elections in 2024, the Pacific Island nation’s government has said.
According to a statement on Solomon Islands Broadcasting’s Facebook page posted late on Friday, the number of officers will increase before November’s Pacific Games, when 5,000 athletes from two dozen nations are expected to arrive.
China, which has also stepped up its policing cooperation with the Solomon Islands, donated and constructed the Pacific Games stadiums.
The statement said, the island nation made a formal request to Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Aug. 4 to extend the Australian police presence until June 2024 to cover the election.