Smoke can be seen billowing from the Solomon Islands capital of Honiara Wednesday, April 19, 2006 after a night of rioting. Hundreds of rioters took to the streets in the Solomon Islands' capital of Honiara, looting, burning.(Xinhua/AFP photo)

    WELLINGTON, April 19 (Xinhua) -- Hundreds of rioters took to the streets in the Solomon Islands' capital of Honiara, looting, burning and turning on New Zealand and Australian police officers keeping peace in the town.

    The rampage was sparked by the election of a political insider Snyder Rini as the new Prime Minister.

    Reports from the South Pacific islands said Wednesday Rini was trapped inside parliament for several hours after hundreds of protesters burnt cars, clashed with police and looted shops. Attempts by local police to curb the protest were blocked when protesters threw stones at them.

    The trouble began shortly after Rini was said to have won a secret parliamentary ballot and was named the country's new Prime Minister. News of Rini's election sparked immediate protests, with up to 400 people gathering at parliament demanding his resignation.

    Reports said three Chinese-owned shops including the Wings Super Market, a premier shopping center in Honiara were looted.

    Attempts by several prominent leaders including former Prime Ministers Bartholomew Ulufa'alu and Manasseh Sogavare and the Speaker of parliament, Sir Peter Kenilorea, to calm the protesters,were unsuccessful.

    One New Zealand and eight Australian police officers were injured in the rioting. Of the Australian officers one has a broken jaw while another is expected to be returned home to Australia for treatment. The New Zealander was hit by a rock thrown by a protester.

    Radio New Zealand International said the rioting was "the worst" unrest seen in the capital since Australia, New Zealand and other Pacific governments intervened nearly three years ago to end years of ethnic conflict.

    New Zealand's High Commissioner to the Solomons, Bryan Sanders,said New Zealand officers are working with local police to help restore order.

    The New Zealand and Australian police are there as part of the Regional Assistance Mission.

    The Solomon Islands head of state called for calm on Wednesday in the troubled South Pacific nation after two days of rioting andlooting sparked by the election of a new prime minister.

    Governor-General Sir Nathaniel Waena issued Wednesday a curfew on Honiara to rein in the situation.

    "Please remain calm and don't take the law into your own hands," said Waena to the people of the islands.

    Waena indicated he will delay swearing ceremony for Rini until the unrests are under control.

    New Zealand Prime Minister Clark said Wednesday Honiara is off limits, police roadblocks have been set up to control the situation.

    She said that the New Zealand police officers in the Solomon Islands were working with local police to restore law and order.

    "We are seeking more clarity around what lies behind today's actions," said Clark. Enditem

A looter on a burning police car in Honiara. Hundreds of rioters took to the streets in the Solomon Islands' capital of Honiara, looting, burning and turning on New Zealand and Australian police officers keeping peace in the town.(Xinhua/AFP photo)