E Timor hit squad surrenders guns

Several rebel groups have already handed over weapons

The leader of a hit squad allegedly armed on the orders of East Timor's former prime minister has surrendered his weapons to the government.

Vincente da Concecao and his men handed in 14 weapons at a ceremony witnessed by the new premier, Jose Ramos-Horta.

The handover is the latest step in an attempt to bring calm to East Timor, which has suffered serious factional fighting over the past few months.

It could also help uncover the truth of claims against ex-PM Mari Alkatiri.

Mr Alkatiri is accused of ordering former Interior Minister Rogerio Lobato to give weapons to Mr da Concecao and his men, so they could form a hit squad and kill his political rivals.

Mr Lobato already faces charges over distributing the arms, and is due to face trial later this month.

The allegations were part of the reason Mr Alkatiri decided to resign last month.

He was also under pressure to quit because many people blamed him for the violence which has beset the country, saying it was triggered by his decision to sack 600 disgruntled soldiers.

Gun battles between the rebel soldiers and those loyal to the government broke out after the dismissals, with machete-wielding youths forcing thousands to flee their homes in fear. At least 21 people died.

New hope

Mr Alkatiri's successor as prime minister, Jose Ramos-Horta, was sworn in at a ceremony in Dili on Monday.

Mr Ramos-Horta is known around the world as spokesman for the East Timorese independence movement - a role that earned him the Nobel prize - and analysts hope he will be able to unify the fractured population.

But the new prime minister faces a formidable task, says the BBC's South East Asia correspondent Jonathan Head.

The police have broken into factions, taking many of their weapons to join rebel groups in the hills.

Much of East Timor's population has split into people from the east and west of the country, and huge temporary camps have sprung up for the tens of thousands of displaced families.