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Fri, 27 Jan 2012
PORT MORESBY, PNG (Australian Network News) --- Papua New Guinea's Prime Minister says his nation deserves better respect from the former Prime Minister, Sir Michael Somare.
Soldiers loyal to Sir Michael attempted to stage a military mutiny holding the Commander of the Defence Force under house arrest for some hours on Thursday.
Sir Michael was ousted as prime minister last year after his seat was declared vacant while he received medical treatment in Singapore.
Despite a Supreme Court order ordering Sir Michael's reinstatement, O'Neill remains the effective prime minister.
He said the former prime minister should use the parliamentary process to deal with his leadership concerns.
“All he has to do is introduce a motion of no confidence and if he does succeed I will resign, I will resign he doesn't have to muck around on the streets and dark corners to try and change government,” he said.
He said Somare's action show signs of 'desperation.’
“Let the courts settle all these issues,” he said.
“Somare is, as we all know, one of the founding fathers of this country.
“If he does care about this country he should not continue to try and create instability within the country,” he said.
The Prime Minister confirmed the mutiny by about 30 rebel soldiers is over.
Soldiers led by former Colonel Yaura Sasa placed their commander under house arrest on Thursday morning, in a move backed by former Prime Minister Michael Somare.
PM O'Neill said Brigadier General Francis Agwi has now been freed.
“The government has now taken control of the barracks and the soldiers have now withdrawn to Taurama Barracks, those who were at Murray Barracks,” he said.
“The commander is now released, he's not under house arrest. And as a result the government has taken full control the defence headquarters.
“We will now start an investigation into the issues that the soldiers have and we'll resolve them as we move forward.”
The prime minister said Colonel Sasa is being “dealt with” but declined to clarify what this meant.
However, deputy Prime Minister Belden Namah told reporters that 15 of the 30 or so men supporting Colonel Sasa had been arrested.
Namah, a former soldier, said Colonel Sasa's actions amounted to mutiny, which carries the death penalty.
He also accused PNG's former Prime Minister, Sir Michael Somare, of orchestrating the mutiny.
“If he can muster the numbers, he can go back to the floor of Parliament. But not like a small rascal on the street,” he said.
“These actions amount to be that of a criminal. This is mutinous, this is sedition, treason.’ Namah told journalists.
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