Australia has been forced to apologise to the leader of the Solomon Islands after he was subjected to a random explosives test at Brisbane airport.
Prime Minister Gordon Darcy Lilo was stopped at a security checkpoint on Saturday. Solomon Islands media has reported there was a stand-off when Mr Lilo refused the test.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has issued an apology to Mr Lilo.
"We regret any embarrassment or inconvenience caused by the incident," a DFAT spokeswoman said on Thursday.
A prime minister would not normally be expected to undergo a random explosive test, she said.
"We are working with relevant Australian government agencies to understand what happened and ensure that breaches of dignity do not occur again."
The incident echoes a 2005 incident involving former Papua New Guinean prime minister Sir Michael Somare.
He made an official complaint after being asked to remove his shoes for a security screening at Brisbane Airport.
