Manasseh Sogavare (File photo)

The prime minister of the Solomon Islands has survived a parliamentary no-confidence vote.

Parliament voted 28 to 17 Wednesday in favor of Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare, ensuring he will remain in charge of the government. The vote was a show of support for Mr. Sogavare's stand in a diplomatic dispute with Australia.

Opposition leader Fred Fono, who introduced the motion, said the prime minister aggravated tensions with Canberra by supporting a top official facing child sex abuse charges in Australia.

Mr. Sogavare has refused to turn over the Solomons' attorney general to Australia to face the charges.

The prime minister has been a controversial leader since he took office in May, following post-election riots that forced his predecessor, Snyder Rini, to step down just days after he took power.

Australia has maintained a presence in the Pacific island nation since 2003, when it helped to restore order following violence between ethnic groups and mismanagement. Canberra strengthened its presence in the Solomons last April after a new outbreak of violence.

Some information for this report was provided by AP and Reuters.