Australian commandos to secure Dili airport

Australia on Thursday was sending commandos and helicopters to East Timor's capital Thursday to secure its airport amid a surge of violence, the prime minister said.

Photo: Australian commandos to secure Dili airport

Prime Minister John Howard said the East Timor government had agreed to the deployment as shooting continued in the capital between disgruntled former soldiers and the East Timor military.

"Later this afternoon, 150 members of a commando company group will arrive in East Timor accompanied by Blackhawk helicopters and a C-130 Hercules aircraft," Howard told parliament.

"These Australian forces will take immediate action to secure the perimeter of Dili International Airport," he said.

"It's our expectation that this will ensure that the airport remains open and functioning normally," he added, reports the AP.

I.L.