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Australian soldiers stand guard at the airport after they arrive in Dili on May 25, 2006. (Xinhua/AFP photo)

    JAKARTA, May 26 (Xinhua) -- At least seven Timor-Leste's national police members were killed on Thursday during a shootout in the country's capital of Dili between Timor-Leste regular forces together with national police personnel and soldiers who had been fired for rebellion and desertion.

    Meanwhile, it was reported that amidst the chaos, a group of Australian troops arrived in Dili to help ease the tense situation in that country, Indonesian official news agency Antara reported on Friday.

    This condition was also confirmed by an Indonesian diplomat in Dili, said the report.

    "The 150-strong Australian armed force arrived by aircraft, while an Australian warship cast anchor off the Dili coast. The arrival of the Australian forces brought fresh hope to Dili residents for an early restoration of law and order in that country," political, information and socio-cultural secretary of the Indonesian embassy in Dili Leroy Siagian was quoted as saying Thursday midnight local time.

    He also disclosed on Thursday afternoon that a group of soldiers attacked the national police headquarters killing seven police officers, and causing injury to 28 others, including two UN police personnel (UNPOL).

    The United Nations reported Thursday that army soldiers opened fire on unarmed police Thursday, killing nine and injuring 27 others in the country which the United Nations shepherded to independence from Indonesia in 2002.

    Amidst the chaos and arson in various locations in Dili, the home of the national police operations deputy Ismail Babo was razed to the ground.

    Likewise, a house of a relative of Ismail Babo situated next to the home of Senior Liaison Officer of the Indonesian Police assigned to the Indonesian embassy in Dili, Police Senior Commissioner Minton Mariaty Simanjuntak, was also burnt by arsonists.

    Leroy Siagian also said that on Wednesday (May 24), Timor-Leste's President Xanana Gusmao flanked by Prime Minister Alkatiri, Foreign Minister Jose Ramos Horta and Parliament Speaker Lu-Olo, delivered a briefing to members of the diplomatic corps.

    "In view of the deteriorating situation, it has been decided to invite international forces (police) -- with limited military support -- from Australia, Portugal, New Zealand and Malaysia, to help restore peace and calm in Timor-Leste," he said. Enditem