The Solomon Islands prime minister Gordon Darcy Lilo has sacked his foreign minister, Peter Shanel.
This comes just days after Mr Shanel returned from Fiji where he met the Russian foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov, and discussed the possibility of setting up diplomatic ties.
The Prime Minister says the foreign minister's actions were inconsistent with the principle of collective Cabinet responsibility and decision.
According to the Solomon Times, Mr Lilo said Solomon Islands must be strategic in terms of how it chooses to affiliate with other countries.
The foreign affairs portfolio is expected to be filled next week.
