Tonga's Prime Minister has renewed the Proclamation of Public Order that has kept central Nuku'alofa under the protection of the army and police since the riots of November 16, 2006.

The Proclamation of the Public Order that was made on 12 December 2007 has been extended by 30 days, as from January 11 2008.

A Tonga Government Gazette Supplement Extraordinary stated that the Prime Minister on the advice of the Acting Minister of Police, believed that public order in the central area of Nuku'alofa continues to be seriously threatened, and the proclamation is necessary for the purpose of maintaining public order.

The proclamation stated: "It is hereby proclaimed that there continues to exist a state of danger in the following area, and effective from this day, the following area shall continue to be a Proclaimed area:

"Intersection of Vuna Road and Bypass Road, and along Bypass Road, to the intersection of Bypass Road and Hihifo Road, and then to the intesection of Hihifo Road and Sunia 'Akaveka Road, and then traveling north to the intersection of Sunia 'Akaveka Road and Vuna Road, back to the intersection of Vuna Road and Bypass Road.

"This proclamation area shall be controlled and maintained by the Tonga Police Force and Tonga Defence Services for the sole purpose of maintaining public order for all people of the country," it stated.