New Zealanders are being warned their safety is at risk in Papua New Guinea, following a leadership coup.
The
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) has updated its travel
advice, saying there is "some risk" to Kiwis' security due to violent
crime and the potential for civil unrest.
The travel advice comes
after mutinous soldiers raided barracks in Port Moresby in support of
ousted Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare early on Thursday morning.
Political tensions are likely to increase over the coming months, ahead of elections scheduled for mid-2012.
MFAT
is advising New Zealanders in the capital of Port Moresby to limit
travel and take particular care around the Supreme Court, Parliament
House, Government House and Police Headquarters in Konedobu.
The
national airline Air Niugini has cancelled all domestic flights out of
Port Moresby to Lae, Vanimo, Wewak and Kiunga until further notice, and
travellers were advised to contact the airline for more information.
New Zealanders are also advised to avoid protests, gatherings and squatter areas.
The
Supreme Court reinstated the Somare government in mid-December, five
months after he was dumped by a parliamentary vote of 70 to 24 and
replaced as prime minister by Peter O'Neill.
Somare is reported to
have ordered former army colonel Yaura Sasa to oust Brigadier-General
Francis Agwi and take control of the armed forces, before soldiers
seized the barracks.
Colonel Sasa told reporters in Commander
Agwi's office on Thursday he was giving Governor-General Sir Michael
Ogio seven days to reinstate Sir Michael.
Mr O'Neill's deputy, Belden Namah, said 15 of the 30 men loyal to Sasa and Somare had been arrested.
He
said army officers had until "4.06pm" (7.06pm NZT) - the traditional
knock-off time for PNG's civil service - to give themselves over to
authorities or face the full force of the law.
NZN