29 Aug 2008

Tonga lifts state of emergency

12:54 pm on 29 August 2008

The Tongan government has lifted the state of emergency declared in November 2006.

The state of emergency was imposed across the kingdom after much of the centre of the capital Nuku'alofa was destroyed when violence erupted during demonstrations in support of democratic reforms.

It had been renewed on a monthly basis but restricted to the centre of the capital.

The prime minister's advisor, Lopeti Senituli, has confirmed that the emergency regulations have not been renewed.

However, the Tongan authorities have yet to make a public announcement to that effect.

Throughout the time the measure was in place the Government maintained it was needed because of the threat posed by elements supporting the pro-democracy movement.