East Timor President Xanana Gusmao said today he had taken control of the nation's entire security, information and intelligence branches after a week of violence sparked by a split in the army.
Mari Alkatiri
Mr Gusmao told a news conference that he had made the decision in collaboration with Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri - with whom he is said to be at odds over the government's handling of the crisis - and the head of parliament.
Mr Gusmao also said he would be solely responsible for coordination with the 2,500-strong Australian-led peacekeeping force that East Timor asked for last week to help put down violence that has claimed at least 20 lives.
Earlier today, gangs loosely allied to feuding factions of the armed forces set alight cars and buildings in the capital Dili
Smoke billowed above several neighbourhoods as the gangs, the product of massive unemployment and a desperately poor economy in the world's newest nation, defied peacekeepers.
A senior commander of the 2,500-plus-strong force from Australia, Malaysia and New Zealand admitted it was tough to control the violence, but he insisted they were succeeding and that it was safe for people to return to their homes.
Australian troops had confiscated 250 firearms and scores of swords, knives, machetes and other crude weapons from civilians. But he said troops had made no arrests or detentions.
Thousands of people have been displaced and dozens of homes burnt in the violence, sparked by last month's dismissal of around 600 soldiers after they protested against discrimination against easterners in the 1,400 strong army.