WELLINGTON, Sept. 6 (Xinhuanet) -- Thousands of people marched in the South Pacific country Tonga on Tuesday to demand reforms in the absolute monarchy, according to reports from Tonga's capital Nuku' alofa.

    Local Matangi Tonga online said the largest protest march in Tonga's history outside the Royal Palace called on the King to dismiss the Prime Minister, Prince 'Ulukalala Lavaka Ata, and all of his 14 Cabinet Ministers.

    A petition with the demand was presented to King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV's private secretary at mid-day, by the Chairman of the Public Servants Association, Finau Tutone.

    He was supported by a huge crowd that had marched down the main street to Pangai Lahi waving banners.

    Local businesses supported the march with heavy vehicles, concrete mixers, and taxi cars joining in.

    The march brings to an end a six weeks long strike of civil servants that has paralyzed the country.

    Tonga Government and the strikes have basically agreed a deal two days ago to end the strike over pay disputes.

    According to a memorandum of understanding between the two sides, the 4,500 civil servants will get pay rises of up to 60 to 80 percent, a major demand by the strikers.

    Tonga has been in tension after the government announced a pay rise for the high officials of the government. The civil servants criticizing the already huge salary gap demanded a pay rise.

    An archipelago of more than 170 islands spread over an area of the South Pacific and is 2,000 km north of New Zealand, Tonga is the only remaining Polynesian monarchy. It's economy depends mainly on farming, fishing and tourism.    Enditem