East Timor Rebels Surrender Weapons To International Troops
Nidhi Sharma - All Headline News Contributor Maubisse, East Timor (AHN) - Following an order to disarm from President Xanana Gusmao, the rebel soldiers in East Timor have surrendered their weapons to the Australian troops by handing over 12 M16 rifles, four handguns and ammunition. "Everybody has to cooperate. This is only another mechanism to reach the objective. The objective is peace and justice," Major Alfredo Reinado, who leads the rebels, is quoted by the AFP news agency as saying. Asked what he would do for protection, Reinado said, "My president (Gusmao) is my protection." Australian troops have secured the weapons inside steel containers. Gusma has maintained the trust of the rebels who are demanding that Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri step down. The PM was held responsible in March for sacking the 600 soldiers after they deserted their barracks complaining of discrimination. The move by Alkatiri lead to violence that left at least 21 dead while around 130,000 people fled their homes in fear. After the incident, more than 2,200 foreign peacekeepers are now patrolling the streets of the capital Dili. Other rebel factions in the district of Gleno were simultaneously surrendering their firearms to Australian peacekeepers and more weapons are expected to pour in from Reinado's area of control in the next few days.
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