HONIARA, July 17: The parliament of the troubled Solomon Islands Thursday unanimously passed legislation that will allow an Australian-led intervention force legal powers to operate in the country.

The legislation, which defines policing powers, followed a motion passed unanimously last week inviting the force into the country.

The International Assistance Bill 2003 clears the way for a Pacific intervention force led by Australia to enter the Solomon Islands to help bring law and order to the failing state.

The Solomon islands is an archipelago of 500,000 people that has endured four years of ethnic tension and lawlessness.

The bill provides immunity to all foreign forces that are deployed here.

The question of immunity was the most contentious issue raised during two days of debate on the bill.

A number of MPs also raised concern at reports that Australia was bringing in 100 expatriates to help run the civil service, the central bank and finance ministry.

Opposition politician Alfred Sasako had complained that the number of expatriate advisors would “deny any sustainability and hope for our young people. This process will give us a fish rather than teaching us how to fish.”

He also suggested the blanket immunity for foreign forces “raised more questions than it answered”.

Immunity and the acceptance of these civilian appointments was a precondition made by Canberra for any Australian deployment.

The proposed intervention has widespread public support in the Solomon Islands and all 52 members of parliament endorsed the bill.

It paves the way for 2,000 troops and police from Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu and Fiji to begin arriving on July 24.

Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer has said Canberra was planning to withdraw its troops “within a few weeks or months”, although police would remain indefinitely in the country.—AFP