Global Policy Forum

The top UN official in East Timor has condemned the outbreaks of violence that have injured at least eight and led to more than 70 arrests since Xanana Gusmao was named Prime Minister. The unrest hit the capital, Dili, and the eastern towns of Baucau and Viqueque after President Jose Ramos-Horta announced a coalition headed by Mr Gusmao's party would form government.

The elections in June failed to deliver an outright winner. Fretilin won 21 seats in the 65-seat Parliament - not enough to form a government alone. Mr Gusmao's CNRT party only won 18 seats but pieced together a coalition holding 37 positions in Parliament.

At least seven buildings have been torched in Baucau, including three government facilities, three aid organisations and a court, while seven houses have been burned in Viqueque, the UN mission says.

UN police, international forces and East Timorese police have fired more than 220 tear gas shells along with rubber bullets, in an effort to contain the mayhem and disperse rampaging groups, the mission says. UN's top official in East Timor, Atul Khare, has issued a statement calling for an end to the violence. "I strongly condemn this violence that is regrettably being committed by people who claim an allegiance to Fretilin," he said. "It is essential that the message of non-violence be communicated strongly and repeatedly until it is respected by all," he said, referring to a pledge by Fretilin ex-prime minister Mari Alkatiri to rein in supporters running amok.

The UN says the situation elsewhere in the country remains "volatile but under control, with isolated and sporadic incidents of violence being reported". Former ruling party Fretilin has branded the new government illegal and has said it will appeal its formation through East Timor's courts. Arrests, injuries Baucau police commander Pedro Belo says more than 50 people have been arrested in Baucau in connection with the violence, triggered by Mr Gusmao's appointment. "The situation is now under the control of security forces but there are still minor incidents taking place in the subdistricts of Quelikai and Venilale," he said. The UN says 29 people have been arrested in Dili in the past day, and 25 UN vehicles were damaged. Four UN police have been injured, with one to be airlifted to Darwin for treatment on Wednesday evening, it said. A worker at Dili's main hospital says four civilians have been treated there for injuries.