His comments have been interpreted as a significant departure from previous policy as the Indonesian foreign minister had said earlier that troops would stay until November and would not be confined to barracks.

UN military commanders have been worried about their troops having to co-operate with an army which is feared to be out of control and which has been accused of taking part in the killings of pro-independence supporters since the massive vote for secession from Indonesia last month.

The BBC's Matt Frei: "Many questions unanswered"

Major General Kiki Syahnakri - speaking to journalists in the East Timorese capital, Dili - said he expected an advance team of the Australian-led force to arrive on Saturday, followed by 2,500 troops on Monday.

"Once they get in, I will pull out. I hope the process will not take more than one week," Major-General Kiki Syahnakri said.

He did not specify whether this would involve all the 15,000-20,000 troops in the territory.

'Months to restore order'

Major-General Peter Cosgrove: Force commander

The commander of the United Nations peacekeeping force for East Timor has said he expects it will take months to restore order.

The commander - Australian general, Peter Cosgrove - also issued a warning to the pro-Indonesian militia fighters who have been attacking the Timorese population.

He said they should surrender their weapons - and, if that was not to their liking, then they should leave East Timor.

The BBC's Clive Myrie in Darwin: "Planes ready to go in and help the starving refugees"

Up to 8,000 troops from more than a dozen countries are assembling in the northern Australian town of Darwin.

Australian Defence Minister John Moore has said the first contingent will land in East Timor late on Sunday or on Monday.

'Food and water running out'

While the peacekeeping force makes its final preparations, the situation inside East Timor is getting ever more desperate.

The UN says malnutrition and disease is beginning to claim the lives of some of the tens of thousands of people who have been forced to flee their homes by pro-Jakarta militiamen.

Click here for a map of the area

Increasing numbers of those sheltering in the mountainous interior are running out of food and water, the UN says.

The BBC's David Shukman: "This is the most hazardous peace operation in recent years"

Refugees forced across the border into West Timor are also in a desperate state, the organisation adds.

The first troop deployment is expected to total about 2,000 troops, including soldiers from Australia and New Zealand as well as British Gurkhas.

The composition of the force

Thailand, which will assume deputy command of the operation will contribute more than 1,000 soldiers to the force, including combat troops, engineers, medical teams and psychological warfare experts. said.

China will for only the second time participate in an international peacekeeping operation. Beijing pledged a contingent of civilian police.

Malaysia now says it will contribute troops, after earlier refusing because of Australia's leading role.

The Malaysian foreign minister said the change of policy was because of requests from other Asian nations, including Indonesia.

Worsening relations

Indonesian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nugroho Wisnumurti explains the change of decision

Earlier, Indonesia cancelled a 1995 security agreement with Australia.

Indonesian Security Minister Fesial Tanjung said that Australia's attitude and actions "are no longer consistent with the spirit and letter of the agreement".

The move is seen by analysts as a largely symbolic gesture aimed at distracting attention from the Jakarta government's internal problems.

Other top stories

• Analysis: UN faces tricky operation
• Rescued refugees weep with relief
• Analysis: Who will make up the force?
• Out of Timor but still pursued by militias
• Timor exodus 'run' by Indonesia

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