UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has expressed worry about the violent protests in Honiara, Solomon Islands, and has urged for an end to the violence and the protection of hard-won peace-building successes, according to his deputy spokesperson Farhan Haq.

In a statement issued on Friday, the secretary-general urged dialogue and peaceful measures to resolve divisions in the country. Increasingly violent rallies in Honiara have blocked multiple access highways, with some houses set ablaze and stores robbed, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). According to the statement, all UN personnel have been located, and no damage to UN property has been detected.

In Honiara, there is a request for assistance for displaced people. According to the OCHA, the World Health Organization is working closely with the Solomon Islands Ministry of Health to give support as needed.

Guterres calls for traffic safety with one death every 24 seconds

Guterres calls on countries to keep promise to deliver health, sanitation to all

UN keeping eye on developments in Yemen's Hodeidah