Australia has sent commandos to East Timor's capital today ahead of the deployment of 1,300 troops to help restore law and order in the tiny nation.
Australian soldiers arrive at the airport in Dili
Violence in the capital Dili has left at least six people dead in recent weeks, and the arrival of Australian forces marks the second time Canberra has joined a UN-led mission to try to bring peace to East Timor.
Australia led a UN-backed intervention force in 1999 to quell violence by pro-Indonesian militias after East Timorese voted for independence from Jakarta. An estimated 1,000 people died in the violence.
Australian Prime Minister John Howard said the forward deployment of commandos had the full support of East Timor's government, which has formally asked Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia and Portugal for police and military support.
Five people were killed and hundreds fled their homes when sacked East Timorese military policemen and government troops clashed in Dili late last month. A sixth person was killed yesterday when the violence reignited.
Mr Howard said sustained fighting had broken out between the two groups in recent days, with reports of a number of casualties.
Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said the Australian embassy in Dili had reported gunfire and people fleeing the city today. Two Australian navy ships were already heading toward East Timor, and the deputy defence chief was sent to Dili to finalise details of the deployment.
Mr Downer said he hoped foreign troops would stabilise the country to allow the cash-strapped government to talk to rebel troops, who claim their dismissal was unfair.