East Timor defense minister to meet rebel commander to seek for solution of crisis

East Timor defense minister to meet rebel commander to seek for solution of crisis

Foreign troops fired tear gas to break up clashes between rock-throwing gangs in the capital, and Defense Minister Jose Ramos Horta said he would meet with rebel soldiers whose sacking from the tiny country's army earlier this year helped trigger the crisis.

Parliament convened for the first time since fighting surged last month in Dili, although lawmakers said some colleagues could not attend because they feared for their safety or lacked transport. Fifty legislators turned up, enough for a quorum in the 88-seat house, the AP rpeorts.