Violence erupts at E Timor rally

Rioters attacked vehicles and government offices in Dili

At least two people have been killed and others hurt after a rally by sacked soldiers in East Timor turned violent.

Police fired tear gas to try and disperse hundreds of soldiers and their supporters, who attacked shops and burned cars in the capital Dili.

At least 20 people were reported to have been injured, some seriously.

The protest was the most volatile of several staged this week against the sacking of 600 soldiers who went on strike claiming discrimination.

They went absent without leave last month to protest against their working conditions and what they called favouritism in promotions.

The government sacked all 600 of them - more than a third of the total defence force.

Promotion dispute

The target for Friday's violence appeared to be the office of Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri. Windows of the building were smashed and cars outside set alight.

Some nearby residents fled to try to seek refuge at the US embassy, the AFP news agency reported.

Theresa Soares, 21, said she and five of her relatives fled because "the situation is no longer safe".

The sacked soldiers have held several protests this week

"I came here for help but I am disappointed they did not let me in," she said outside the embassy.

At a previous rally on Wednesday police had to suppress a demonstration by the soldiers, when dozens of them started throwing stones at buildings and attacking market stalls with sticks.

Some of the demonstrators invaded houses, it was reported.

The soldiers - many of them from western districts of the country - originally left their posts because they believed they were missing out on promotion to colleagues from the east, according to protest leader Gastao Salsinha.

Many of the troops, who are veterans of the 25-year fight for independence from Indonesia, feel they have not been given the recognition they deserve for their past sacrifices, say analysts.

East Timor's government has said it will review some of the soldiers' complaints on a case-by-case basis.