In pictures: E Timor unrest boils over

Women rush past a burning car in the East Timorese capital, Dili, where militias have attacked the property of rival ethnic groups aligned to competing factions in the military.

Hundreds of people have fled the fighting. The violence, triggered by a months-old dispute over pay that split the military, has inflamed historic communal tensions.

Australian soldiers were deployed in the area last week but have been unable to check the violence, described by the prime minister as a coup attempt.

Residents have set up roadblocks and armed themselves with homemade weapons to protect their property.

Many of those fleeing the clashes have sought sanctuary in churches. Here, a churchman comforts weeping women.

Families left homeless by the fighting have been staying in makeshift centres around Dili.

A young boy eats at one of the refugee camps. The UN has pulled out all essential staff from the area and many foreigners have been evacuated.

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