New Tonga Elections Set After Riot

The capitol of Tonga is still recovering tonight from a violent protest that caused havoc throughout the city.

Hundreds of pro-democracy protestors took to the streets this morning, demanding all parliament members be elected by popular vote. It quickly turned violent when rioters started looting shops and burning them to the ground.

Right now phone connections are spotty and it's difficult to get through to Tonga. But after several hours of dialing, local resident Mary Piltz got ahold of her sister, who told her a building was burned down right next to her shop.

"Most of the rioters just go from one business that any business connected to the royal family, they burned it down," the Laie resident told KGMB9.

Guards have been placed around the royal palace and the royal family was not harmed.

After several hours of violence, the government agreed to new elections in 2008 in which a majority of parliament would be elected by the public.

© Copyright 2004 KGMB9 – Emmis Communications. All Rights Reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.