8 Jul 2006

Tonga's prime minister says deaths of royal couple a tragedy for Tonga

6:09 am on 8 July 2006

The prime minister of Tonga says the King's Cabinet has agreed that the work of the National Committee of the Kingdom of Tonga for Political Reform will continue.

Feleti Sevele had been speaking following the deaths of Prince Tu'ipelehake and his wife Princess Kaimana who were both killed in a road accident in the US.

The Prince, who was the chair of the National Committee of the Kingdom of Tonga for Political Reform, was in San Francisco on the last leg of the group's public consultations.

Dr Sevele says the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly has spoken to many members of the Legislative Assembly and a majority agree that the work of Committee should be completed as scheduled.

Dr Sevele says the death of the Prince and his wife is a national tragedy for Tonga and all Tongans.

The Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, Tu'iha'angana says plans are being made for the return of the Royal Highnesses back to Tonga.

He says funeral arrangements have not been announced yet.