16 Jul 2007

Tonga extends emergency rule for eighth time

3:17 pm on 16 July 2007

The Tongan government has extended the state of emergency imposed last year for the eighth time.

Emergency provisions which are restricted to the island of Tongatapu were due to expire tonight but the government has decided to extend them for another month.

They were first announced last November after rioters destroyed much of the centre of the capital, Nukualofa.