Reports from Solomon Islands say Australian officials have begun planning for the possible departure of the Regional Assistance Mission.
The Solomon Star reports that this follows a comment by the newly elected Prime Minister, Danny Philip, who said he hoped the country could stand alone within five years.
Mr Philip says RAMSI, which was deployed more than seven years ago, cannot be expected to remain forever.
He says the country would like to be free and to do things on its own but cannot impose on itself a situation of doing things on its own until it is properly prepared.
