The fighting ended in 2000 but left a power vacuum

They were dispersed by armed police officers.

The stand-off came a day after the tiny South Pacific nation approved a 2,000-strong Australian-led intervention force to restore order after four years of civil war.

The rebels were from the Malaita Eagle Force, which had fought bloody battles with a militia from the main Guadalcanal island since 1998, which led to a coup in 2000.

The former fighters were demanding "repatriation" cash so they could return to their homes on neighbouring Malaita island before the intervention force arrives - possibly by the end of the month.

But the country is bankrupt. Public servants have not been paid for months.

Australia on Friday warned its nationals to stay away from the Solomons because of "major law and order problems".

The foreign ministry urged Australians to "defer all holiday travel" and advised Australians living in the Solomons to exercise a "particularly high level of personal security".

MPs in the capital, Honiara, on Thursday voted to allow the foreign troops to operate in the country. The legislation is expected to be passed at a parliamentary session next week.

The Prime Minister, Sir Allan Kemakeza, had told parliament the country was simply not capable of dealing with its problems.

He said any parliamentarian who voted against the proposals would have to answer to future generations.

Teams of Australian and New Zealand defence and police officials are already in Honiara planning the arrival of the troops.

The troops are expected to confiscate weapons; help reform the police, court and prison systems; and protect key government institutions such as the finance ministry.