The Samoa Prime Minister has said an attack on him in Australia last week was a storm in a teacup.
Samoa PM and Police Minister, Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegoai Photo: RNZ Pacific /Autagavaia Tipi Autagavaia
Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi was speaking at the launch of Samoa Airways direct flights to Brisbane when two men reportedly threw rocks, eggs and an uncooked pig's head at him.
The men, who disguised their faces and also shouted slurs, then ran away, leaving the prime minister unharmed.
In a statement his office called the event "uninvited brief entertainment".
Tuilaepa said it was a personal insult to say the least, but nothing he hadn't experienced before.
He added that his "only regret is that it's a slap in the face for patriotic Samoans all over".
"If the two rascals think that they have accomplished their mission, than I am sorry to say that is far from the truth. In fact, thanks to them, they have done more damage than good to their cause," Tuilaepea said.
Samoa's new Counsul General for Australia, Auseuegafa Vaasatia Poloma Komiti, said one of his priorities in the role was to "assist the Queensland Police and liaise with the Brisbane Samoan Community to identify the two Samoans who bad mouthed" Tuilaepa, according to a government press release.
