RENEWED violence was sweeping East Timor's capital with sporadic shooting, hit-and-run arson raids and attacks on minority ethnic groups from its east. Around 26 buildings have been destroyed in Dili since last night. Stone-throwing mobs have also attacked with refugee camps sheltering easterners also being attacked. They also attacked the national television station but were quickly repelled by Australian and Portuguese peacekeepers.
Anger at a television broadcast showing outgoing prime minister Mari Alkatiri meeting several thousand supporters yesterday at Hera, 10km east of Dili, sparked the attacks. He asked them to abandon immediate plans to enter the capital, where peacekeepers feared clashes with anti-Alkatiri forces, but told them to return in one or two days.