Papua New Guinea's Foreign Minister Rimbink Pato has announced his government has granted refugee status to 10 asylum seekers from Australia's Manus Island offshore detention centre.
Australia's immigration Minister, Scott Morrison, says they are the first men to be granted a refugee visa under the resettlement arrangement between Australia and PNG.
Mr Morrison adds the group will be followed by about 40 a month.
He says those found to be refugees will be provided with initial services at an open facility at East Lorengau in Manus Province before moving into the PNG community to seek employment.
Mr Morrison says those issued visas will receive assistance with language and cultural orientation and case managers will provide support.
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Australian detention centre on Manus Island. Photo: REFUGEE ACTION COALITION / AFP
