Deadly riots in Nuku'alofa, the capital of Tonga, have sent tourists fleeing on board Australian military jets. This development following several travel warnings from the Australian government stating, “the situation could deteriorate further without warning.”

Fleeing tourists included foreign nationals from Australia, New Zealand, the UK, Papua New Guinea, Canada and the US, according to latest reports.

Following eight deaths and dozens of arrests, the Tongan government has declared a state of emergency with the assistance of about 200 troops from Australia and New Zealand.

"The situation in Tonga is quiet at the moment," said Australian Foreign Affairs Minister Alexander Downer.

The unrest follows protests that started last year when about 10,000 people took to the streets demanding democracy reforms and public ownership of key assets in the Pacific island kingdom.

Protestors again took to the streets when politicians in the kingdom's parliament failed to vote on democratic reforms last Thursday.

Authorities reported that about 80 percent of buildings in the Tongan capital business district were destroyed, after pro-democracy demonstrators torched buildings, looted shop houses and set cars on fire. Angry demonstrators also damaged the prime minister's office, courthouses and other public buildings.

A government committee has recommended holding direct elections in 2008 to elect a more democratic parliament, following the death of King Taufa'ahau Tupou in September. "Tonga must adopt sweeping changes to its political system and increase the number of directly elected members of parliment," said the committee's report.

In August last year, public services at hospitals and schools came to a halt when public servants staged a six-week strike.

As of Monday, restoration of flights allowed hundreds of stranded tourists to finally leave Nuku'alofa, guarded by armed New Zealand and Australian troops.

The tourism industry, one of Tonga's major income earners, is bracing itself for a sharp downturn following the unrest.

King Tupou IV, who reigned for 41 years, opposed reforms and appointed 10 out of the 14 cabinet members to their posts for life.

Only nine seats in the country's 32-seat parliament are elected by popular vote, while the rest are held by the king and noble families.

Tonga is a group of 170 island about 2000 kilometers north of New Zealand.

Source: www.eturbonews.com