Papua New Guinea to sign security pact with US, PM says

Papua New Guinea will sign a security pact with the United States that gives American troops access to the Pacific nation's ports and airports, its leader said. Prime Minister James Marape told a press conference two agreements focusing on defence cooperation, and maritime surveillance have been agreed with Washington and will be formally signed at the earliest opportunity after parliamentary approval. "We are elevating to a specific defence cooperation agreement, something that is falling short of a treaty," he said.