Papua New Guinea won’t be base ‘for war to be launched’, says PM, after US security deal

James Marape says agreement has clause saying Pacific country is not to be used as a place for launching offensive military operations'

Papua New Guinea will not be used as a base for war to be launched", prime minister James Marape has said, as the Pacific country signed a defence agreement with the US amid a race against China for influence in the region.

Marape said on Tuesday the agreement - which he said he would release in full for public scrutiny on Thursday - prohibited offensive military operations".