UNPol in East Timor Security Briefing 13 March 2007

The situation in Dili has remained relatively stable over the past 24 hours.

Earlier today, UNPol responded to reports of gun shots and houses being ransacked and destroyed in the Kuluhun Atas area. A total of six houses were destroyed. There were no injuries. At midday today UNPOL further responded to an incident of house burning along Banana road in Comoro.

The attempted break in and theft of rice at the World Food Programme warehouse in Bebora yesterday by 50 people was stopped by UNPOL who managed to control the situation without any arrest or injury to any persons. The rice was transported as planned to Aileu without any further incident.

There were two more attempts made yesterday to enter the WFP warehouse. Both times the situation was quickly brought under control by UNPol. One person was arrested yesterday evening and 7 bags of rice were recovered.

Yesterday afternoon, store owner near the US Embassy was stabbed. The victim was taken to Dili Hospital and is currently in a stable condition. Yesterday evening, UNPOL responded to another reported stabbing victim near the Comoro Police Station. UNPOL transported the person to Dili Hospital for treatment. It was later discovered by UNPOL that the victim had been attacked by unidentified males who stole his motorbike. Both stabbing cases involving the stabbing victims are under investigation.

The Police advise that you avoid traveling during the night to the most affected areas. Contact the police if you see anything suspicious or any kind of problems, and avoid staying near any disturbances. Call 112 or 7230365 to contact the police 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

This has been a daily broadcast of the UN Police in Timor-Leste, for the people of Timor-Leste