East Timor began voting today for a new president, a critical step in Asia’s newest nation following violence and political turmoil last year that took it to the brink of civil war.

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.

East Timor dumped its defense minister today and the government showed signs of further unravelling, as desperate residents scuffled over scarce food in the capital and looters ransacked the prosecutor’s office of vast numbers of files.

East Timor’s government showed signs of unravelling today, as desperate residents scuffled over scarce food in the capital and looters defied foreign peacekeepers sent to restore order.

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.