[File Photo]

Papua New Guinea’s opposition party lodged a motion of no confidence in Prime Minister James Marape when the Pacific Island nation’s parliament returned on Tuesday, the first session since deadly riots in January during a police strike.

A vote cannot be held for another week under parliament rules. Marape has said he is confident he has the numbers to defeat the motion.

The largest Pacific Island nation, positioned between Asia and the South Pacific, PNG struck a defence cooperation agreement with the United States in May and is also being courted for security ties by trading partner China.

In his first comments to parliament on the riots, Marape was critical of police for taking strike action over a salary error, and said a judge would be appointed to hold a commission of inquiry into conduct of the police force on Jan. 10.

During the 10 hours police were not on duty in the capital Port Moresby, allowing rioters to cause “mayhem”, citizens had defended their suburbs and businesses, Marape said.

Sixteen people were killed in the rioting.

The defence force was not involved in the riot, Marape said, revealing that a military commander had asked to assist when Marape’s office came under attack from rioters.

On a visit to Australia last week, Marape sought progress on a security and policing agreement struck in December that will see Canberra provide A$200 million to boost police training and recruitment.