East Timorese police hand over illegal firearms

East Timorese police who have illegally kept weapons in their homes for protection during weeks of unrest, have surrendered dozens of firearms to Australian peacekeepers.

The head of the force, Brigadier Mick Slater, says the policemen, handed in more than 50 firearms including M-16s, AK-33s and pistols.

Brigadier Slater has praised their actions, saying they will not be arrested for having the weapons.

In May, the East Timorese capital, Dili, descended into violence, with clashes between rival factions of the security forces and ethnic gangs battling in the streets.

At least 21 people were killed and 150,000 others displaced.

East Timorese police and military were officially confined to barracks with the arrival of peacekeepers from Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia and Portugal.

However, many policemen deserted their posts and took their weapons with them, fearing attacks by renegade soldiers.

The violence was triggered by the then prime minister Mari Alkatiri's sacking of 600 soldiers from the west of the country who had complained of discrimination.

Mr Alkatiri resigned on June 26 after being broadly blamed for the violence and he has since been replaced by Jose Ramos Horta until elections are held next year.

- RADIO AUSTRALIA