Monitors investigate shootout in Honiara

Ceasefire monitors in the Solomon Islands are investigating a gun battle that broke out between ethnic militias less than a week before peace talks are due to begin.

No injuries were reported after the three-hour shootout late on Saturday on the eastern edge of the capital, Honiara.

The firefight was the latest flare-up in a 21-month battle between rebels known as Isatabus from the main island in the Pacific archipelago, Guadalcanal, and a militia from neighbouring Malaita Island.

The fighting centred on a Malaitan-controlled bunker close to Honiara's international airport.

Isatabus briefly overran the bunker before Malaitans regained control.