E Timor PM hits out at jailbreak

Troops are still looking for the escaped prisoners

The prime minister of East Timor has said that international peacekeepers are partly to blame for the escape of dozens of prisoners on Wednesday.

Jose Ramos-Horta said Australian-led troops had failed to increase security at the prison in the capital, Dili, despite repeated pleas from officials.

At least 56 men escaped from the jail, including rebel leader Alfredo Reinado.

The escape sparked fears of renewed tensions, in a country which is still recovering from recent violence.

More than 20 people died in street clashes in May, and thousands fled their homes.

International troops, most of whom are from Australia, are now stationed in the country to try to restore order.

'Puzzled'

Mr Ramos-Horta said the mass escape could have been prevented.

"I am personally just puzzled why, in spite of our repeated requests for static forces to be outside the prison, this was not done," he told Australian radio.

The head of the international forces, Brigadier Mick Slater, said the escape appeared to have been a "fairly simple matter", with prisoners walking out of the gates.

International troops and police are continuing to search for the escapees, but with no success so far.

Officials fear that the prisoners' escape could destabilise the country's fragile security situation.

Calm has largely been restored since the unrest in May, but there have been sporadic outbreaks of violence.

Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer is flying to Dili on Sunday, for talks on the crisis with Mr Ramos-Horta and the Indonesian Foreign Minister Hassan Wirajuda.

Mr Downer, who said on Thursday that the jailbreak was "a matter of very real concern" to the Australian government, will also discuss preparations for a new United Nations mission in the country to replace the current international force.

Last week, the UN Security Council agreed to send 1,500 police to the troubled country.