East Timor's president takes over security forces

Gangs of youths have defied peacekeepers in Dili. Picture / Reuters.

DILI - East Timor President Xanana Gusmao has said he has taken control of the nation's entire security, information and intelligence branches after a week of violence sparked by a split in the army.

President Gusmao told a news conference that he had made the decision in collaboration with Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri - with whom he is said to be at odds over the government's handling of the crisis - and the head of parliament.

President Gusmao also said he would be solely responsible for coordination with the 2,500-strong Australian-led peacekeeping force that East Timor asked for last week to help put down violence that has claimed at least 20 lives.

His announcement came after two days of crisis talks as youth gangs defied international peacekeepers and torched cars and buildings in the capital.

Thousands of people have been displaced and dozens of homes burnt in the violence, sparked by last month's dismissal of around 600 soldiers after they protested against discrimination against easterners in the 1400 strong army.

Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri had been strongly criticised for his handling of the crisis and had been reported to be at odds with President Xanana Gusmao on how to proceed.

Foreign Minister Jose Ramos Horta earlier admitted the government had failed the people.

"In some areas, particularly in political dialogue in embracing everybody, in resolving problems as they arise, well the government has failed miserably," Mr Ramos-Horta told Australia's Nine Network.

"We have failed to embrace people who disagree with the government, we have failed in addressing the problems in the military and in the police, even though we knew about them," he said.

'It is safe'

A senior commander of the 2500 plus strong force from Australia, Malaysia and New Zealand admitted it was tough to control the violence, but insisted they were succeeding and it was safe for people to return to their homes.

"We are patrolling every neighbourhood in this town," Lieutenant-Colonel Mick Mumford told reporters. "We can't put a soldier on every street, in every suburb... but I can assure you that soldiers are going through them.

"It is fair to tell people to go home because it is safe."

But residents were less sure.

"As soon as the soldiers move somewhere else, then they come back," said Eduardo Villes, who had formed a vigilante squad with neighbours to protect property in the area.

Lieutenant-Colonel Mumford said Australian troops had confiscated 250 firearms and scores of swords, knives, machetes and other crude weapons from civilians.

But he said troops had made no arrests or detentions.

The peacekeeping force's main aim is to get all soldiers and police - including the rebels holed up outside the capital - to surrender their weapons and to keep feuding sides apart.

"We are on every side," he said. "We are providing protection to everyone that needs it. If they want to come in and disarm and seek protection, we will give it to them."

The Red Cross says more than 40,000 have been displaced by the violence and food shortages were being felt in the capital.

- REUTERS