The Solomon Islands government has launched a scathing attack on Australia at the United Nations, saying Canberra is frustrating the country's efforts to reclaim its sovereignty and independence.
Australia is the dominant presence in the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands, RAMSI, though 14 other Pacific countries are included.
The Solomon Islands foreign minister, Patteson Oti, says the UN needs to become more involved in such operations or the lead countries in those missions will inevitably use them for their own economic benefit.
Mr Oti says RAMSI deserves credit for restoring law and order, but that the underlying social and cultural causes of the tensions have not been addressed.
Mr Oti's government has been at loggerheads with Canberra for the past year.
This has led to a review of RAMSI conducted by a Pacific Islands Forum Eminent Persons' Group while a separate Solomons' parliamentary inquiry is also underway.
A recent survey of more than 5,000 Solomon Islanders indicated strong support for RAMSI and its continued presence in the country.
