PNGBLOGS

AN ATTEMPTED military coup led by a retired colonel in the Papua New Guinea capital, Port Moresby, yesterday led to a tense standoff between forces loyal to Peter O'Neill and Michael Somare, who both claim to be prime minister. By nightfall yesterday, Colonel Yaura Sasa and soldiers of the 1st Battalion, who had taken the Defence Force commander, Francis Agwi, hostage in the capital's main barracks, had released their captive. Mr O'Neill said he remained in control and Colonel Sasa had been ''dealt with''. Earlier in the day, shots were fired, domestic flights were cancelled and road blocks were set up to contain what threatened to be a serious situation. The drama began when a group of soldiers - reported to number about 20 - stormed PNG's main Murray Barracks in the capital at 3am. They placed Brigadier-General Agwi and two other unnamed officers under house arrest after they deemed them to be supporters

AN ATTEMPTED military coup led by a retired colonel in the Papua New Guinea capital, Port Moresby, yesterday led to a tense standoff between forces loyal to Peter O'Neill and Michael Somare, who both claim to be prime minister. By nightfall yesterday, Colonel Yaura Sasa and soldiers of the 1st Battalion, who had taken the Defence Force commander, Francis Agwi, hostage in the capital's main barracks, had released their captive. Mr O'Neill said he remained in control and Colonel Sasa had been ''dealt with''. Earlier in the day, shots were fired, domestic flights were cancelled and road blocks were set up to contain what threatened to be a serious situation. The drama began when a group of soldiers - reported to number about 20 - stormed PNG's main Murray Barracks in the capital at 3am. They placed Brigadier-General Agwi and two other unnamed officers under house arrest after they deemed them to be suppor

Col Yaura Sasa and his mutineers have surrendered.This has been confirmed by former PNG Defence Force officer Reg Renagi. "I just spoke to my inner circle military contacts within defence headquarters now," he said."Things have quietened down now. "General Francis Agwi's office keys have been returned to him."The renegade soldiers have also returned their arms back to their superiors. "The situation within Murray Barracks is simmering down down so all's well, ends well."  -MALUM NALU

Col Yaura Sasa and his mutineers have surrendered.This has been confirmed by former PNG Defence Force officer Reg Renagi. "I just spoke to my inner circle military contacts within defence headquarters now," he said."Things have quietened down now. "General Francis Agwi's office keys have been returned to him."The renegade soldiers have also returned their arms back to their superiors. "The situation within Murray Barracks is simmering down down so all's well, ends well."  -MALUM NALU

Show up at 4:00pm or be arrested Retired colonel Yaura Sasa has been warned by deputy Prime Minister Belden Namah to turn himself in by 4pm today or be arrested. Namah made the call as Sasa claims to be in charge of the Papua New Guinea Defence Force after placing commander Francis Agwi under house arrest. He has threatened to use "necessary actions" to resolve the country's political stand-off.  Sasa said soldiers under his control fired several shots this morning as they stormed barracks and took Agwi hostage under house arrest. Sasa said the action did not amount to a military mutiny or takeover, but said he had been appointed commander by former prime minister Sir Michael Somare. He called on Sir Michael and prime minister Peter O'Neill to return to parliament to resolve what he called the country's constitutional impasse within seven days. If that did not happen, he warned he would use "necessary action" to "restore the integrity and respect