Solomon Islands prime minister voted out after no-confidence vote

Solomon Islands Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele has been voted out of office after a no-confidence motion in parliament.

The vote followed a debate in which accusations of bribery and corruption were raised, which Mr Manele strongly rejected.

The motion passed with 26 of the 50 members of parliament backing the move against him.

Mr Manele stepped away as leader on Thursday afternoon, ending a two-year term in office.

A new prime minister has not yet been chosen.

The new government bloc is expected to hold a vote next week, with long-time opposition leader Matthew Wale and former foreign minister Peter Shanel Agovaka among those being discussed as possible candidates.

The change matters because it removes the head of government in a Pacific island state that has maintained a close relationship with China under Mr Manele's leadership.

His departure follows a period of internal political tension that had already seen some government MPs break away in March.

Mr Manele succeeded Manasseh Sogavare and was described as having kept a largely stable government during his time in office.

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