Renewed violence feared in East Timor capital

Thousands of people have fled from the East Timorese capital Dili for nearby mountains, fearing renewed violence between ex-soldiers and police that left four people dead last week.

Fighting between hundreds of soldiers and police last week left dozens injured.

US officials yesterday authorised the departure of all non-emergency workers and their families and urged American citizens to postpone travel to the Southeast Asian country.

Nearly 600 soldiers were fired in March for going on strike and have threatened to wage a guerrilla war if the government fails to resolve a dispute with the military leadership.

There were no fresh reports of bloodshed Friday, but a reporter at the scene said panic broke out after reports that military commanders had left and people were fleeing.

“People are fleeing to the villages and mountains, including my wife and child,” said Guido Guilliart. “They left after rumours that military commanders had fled.”

East Timor’s prime minister appealed to the population to remain calm, saying the situation in Dili was “calm and under control”.