East Timor’s leaders were trying to decide on a new prime minister today following the resignation of Mari Alkatiri, raising hopes for an end to months of political paralysis and violence in Asia’s newest nation.

East Timor’s president said he would decide whether to resign later today after hearing whether the country’s ruling party had agreed to sack the prime minister.

East Timor’s president backed off a threat to resign today, telling thousands of flag-waving supporters he would not abandon them as the country searched for a solution to weeks of political turmoil and bloody street battles.

East Timor’s president was reconsidering his threat to resign, a Roman Catholic bishop said after meeting the popular leader today, as protesters demanding the resignation took to the streets, raising fears of fresh violence.

The commander of rebels in a conflict with East Timor’s government said the insurgents would hand over weapons to international peacekeepers today, after being asked to disarm by President Xanana Gusmao.

About 2,000 protesters calling for the resignation of East Timor’s prime minister cruised around parliament in a convoy of horn-blaring trucks and motorcycles today, hours after mobs set buildings on fire and looted a warehouse filled with farm supplies.

A United Nations refugee chief warned today that violence could spill into squalid camps where tens of thousands of East Timorese tried to escape chaos in the capital, as the prime minister blamed former members of pro-Indonesia militias for some attacks.

Scores more foreign soldiers today landed in East Timor to bolster a force struggling to stop mob violence in the capital.

A mob armed with machetes looted East Timor’s attorney general’s office today, including an area where evidence of 1999 massacres linked to the country’s breakaway from Indonesia were kept.

INDEPENDENCE hero and former guerrilla fighter President Xanana Gusmao yesterday urged warring factions to end the violence ripping through East Timor’s capital.

Independence hero and former guerrilla fighter President Xanana Gusmao today urged warring factions to end violence ripping through East Timor’s capital, while ex-soldiers whose rebellion triggered the broad mayhem offered peace talks.

International peacekeepers arrived in East Timor’s smouldering capital to restore order as gunbattles beteen renegade troops and government forces threatened to plunge the world’s youngest country into civil war.

Peacekeepers from Australia and New Zealand were deployed to East Timor today to help restore calm after gun battles between the tiny nation’s military and disgruntled ex-soldiers killed two people and injured nine.

A report on Indonesia’s 24-year occupation of East Timor blames over 100,000 deaths and massive human rights violations including starvation and the use of napalm primarily on Indonesian security forces, Timorese officials said today.

EAST TIMOR’S ousted prime minister failed to appear yesterday for questioning over gunrunning charges that contributed to his downfall, saying he was immune from prosecution.

East Timor's president marked the tiny country's third anniversary today with a sombre speech warning that patience and sacrifice are still needed in the face of a moribund economy, stifling poverty and a declining UN presence.

EAST TIMOR yesterday put aside its economic woes to celebrate the country’s first anniversary with patriotic songs, parades and a moment of silence for those killed during Indonesia’s brutal 24-year rule.

Foreigners fled East Timor today as security forces in the capital Dili fired warning shots in new clashes with students.

East Timor has declared a state of emergency after police shot and killed at least two student protesters.