Downer concern at E Timor force

Mr Downer said the security situation was still a concern

The Australian foreign minister says that a planned United Nations peacekeeping force for East Timor will need more soldiers to back it up.

Alexander Downer, who held talks in East Timor on Monday, said the numbers envisaged by the UN were too small.

On 26 August the UN Security Council approved the deployment of more than 1,500 policemen for the restive nation.

An Australian-led international force is currently helping to maintain order after violent clashes in May.

The unrest, which left more than 20 people dead and caused thousands to flee, led to a political crisis which forced the resignation of then Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri.

The international force has helped to restore order, but there have been sporadic incidents of violence in recent weeks.

Last week more than 50 prisoners, including rebel leader Alfredo Reinado, escaped from jail in Dili, raising fears of further unrest. None of them have been recaptured.

More troops

Mr Downer said that the security situation in the country was still a cause for concern and that Australia would push for a stronger force.

The UN is looking at providing 350 troops to back up the police deployment.

"I don't think that's sufficient," Mr Downer told Australian radio.

"I think you have to have soldiers who can go in and sort out the problem and from our point of view, our military [is] looking at keeping around 650 or so soldiers there and then there will be soldiers from other countries, in particular New Zealand," he said.

He also suggested that Australia would prefer to retain command of its own troops.

"I don't think you want a situation where the military in an emergency are trying to get onto New York and get approval from officials in New York to do this, that and the other," he said.

On Monday, East Timor's Prime Minister Jose Ramos-Horta said that the presence of the foreign troops was still necessary.

"We still need them here," he said.