The newly-appointed UN administrator for East Timor, Sergio Vieira de Mello, says he'll go to the territory next week to begin overseeing its transition to independence.

Among the most pressing tasks of his administration will be to rehouse hundreds of thousands of people displaced by the violence that followed the referendum.

Speaking in New York, Mr Vieria de Mello said another top priority would be to establish a credible system of justice.

He called for reconciliation between all sides, saying he would have early talks with the government in Jakarta as well as working in close co-operation with East Timorese leaders.