Australia to pull troops from East Timor

CANBERRA - Australia has begun the gradual withdrawal of troops from East Timor as the troubled nation stabilises after violent clashes three months ago, Australian Defence Minister Brendan Nelson said today.

Australia led an international force of more than 3000 troops to restore peace in Asia's newest state after at least 20 people were killed in violent clashes and arson attacks.

"In the two months since they deployed, the streets of Dili have been transformed from chaos to relative calm with business beginning to return to normal," Nelson said in a statement.

"As the security situation continues to improve and the focus moves more to police operations, elements of the military force that were essential in the initial deployment will return to Australia," Nelson said in a statement.

Tiny East Timor plunged into political crisis nearly three months ago when former Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri dismissed around 600 troops after they protested against discrimination.

East Timor has asked the United Nations to deploy more than 800 police to help with long-term security after the crisis.

Australia, Malaysia, New Zealand and Portugal all sent troops and police to help stabilise East Timor. At the height of the operations, Australia had about 3000 defence personnel deployed, including navy ships and army helicopters.

Over the past two weeks, Australia has withdrawn a troop supply ship from East Timor, as well as three army Blackhawk helicopters.

Nelson said about 23 armoured personnel carries, infantry troops and logistics staff will also return to Australia in the coming weeks. The department said that would leave about 2000 soldiers in East Timor.

UN Secretary General Kofi Annan has said he hopes UN-led police and troops can join the Australian-led forces in six months and eventually take over the peacekeeping operations.

- REUTERS