South pacific island countries to greet new year

SUVA - South pacific island countries, which see the first ray of sunshine every day, are ready to embrace the new year of 2013.

In Fiji, police patrol are increasing in major towns and cities to safeguard public safety and security as the nation is set to have the Annual Fiji Street Party on Monday evening in the capital of Suva.

Some 15,000 people are anticipated to gather for the street party, where they are expected to dance and to watch firework shows, police spokeswoman Ana Naisoro said.

The year of 2012 has been a busy year for Solomon Islands as the country hosted  some major events successfully, including the 11th Festival of Pacific Arts, said the Solomon Star newspaper.

It is hoped that Samoans welcome the new year of 2013 safely and with strong bodies and minds.