E Timor leader warns of crackdown

President Gusmao warned that "harsher measures" could be used

East Timor's president has threatened to use emergency measures to quell continuing unrests in the capital Dili.

Xanana Gusmao's warning came as thousands of protesters burned tyres and threw stones in Dili over Sunday's raid on rebel leader Alfredo Reinado.

Maj Reinado escaped during the raid on his base by Australian-led peacekeepers in which four rebels were killed.

Australia said it would evacuate non-essential staff from its embassy in Dili if they wanted to leave.

"The state will use all legal means, including force, to stop violence and prevent destruction of property and killing and to restore law and order," President Gusmao said in a televised speech on Monday.

He said that security forces could be ordered to conduct door-to-door checks to disarm the population.

"Citizens should not participate in activities that could contribute to this instability," he said.

The president also warned of "harsher measures" if that failed to quell the unrest.

Calls to surrender

The raid on Maj Reinado's base near Dili has sparked angry protests in the capital by thousands of his supporters.

Major Reinado has vowed to fight to the death if necessary

The protesters burned tyres and hurled rocks, shouting slogans such as "Long Live Alfredo" and denouncing President Gusmao.

The raid was launched following a plea from Mr Gusmao, who asked international forces to arrest Maj Reinado, accusing him of stealing a number of weapons in attacks on police posts.

Maj Reinado is accused of leading a revolt last May that left the country in chaos.

The renegade officer was jailed over his role in the unrest - which saw street clashes between rebels and government troops - but he escaped in a mass breakout from a Dili prison last August.

Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer urged Maj Reinado to surrender, saying he could not hide indefinitely.

But Maj Reinado told Reuters news agency on Saturday: "I will not surrender for the president and prime minister's interest. I will surrender only for the people's interest."

Indonesia has temporarily closed its border with East Timor to prevent the rebel leader and his group from crossing into Indonesian territory.

The BBC's Lucy Williamson in Jakarta says Maj Reinado's capture would bring relief to the East Timorese government and the international force.

However, there are widespread fears it could also reignite further unrest, our correspondent says.

Instability in East Timor is being fuelled by underlying problems such as tensions between eastern and western parts of the country and disillusionment with the government over high unemployment, she says.

Several people have been killed in clashes in recent weeks.

Next month sees the first presidential elections since East Timor became fully independent and there are fears that violence could mar the poll, our correspondent says.

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