UN troops struggle to control violence in East Timor

HUNDREDS of foreign troops struggled to keep East Timor from tipping into civil war yesterday amid widening violence, including a mob attack that killed six relatives of a government minister and set his house ablaze.

A small contingent of US Marines flew in to provide security for the American Embassy. Indonesia sealed its border with East Timor to prevent the conflict between the army and renegade troops from spilling over as it drew in police officers, machete-wielding youths and ordinary citizens.

The death toll from four days of violence climbed to 23 after a mob attacked a house belonging to Home Affairs Minister Rogerio Lobato, smashing its windows and splashing it with gasoline before setting it ablaze.