Play
Stop
Six One News: Conor Mark Kavanagh reports that Australian troops have had little success in keeping the peace of the streets of the country's capital, Dili
The United Nations has ordered all non-essential staff out of East Timor, which has been hit by a fresh outburst of violence.
Militias armed with guns and machetes have rampaged though the capital, Dili, setting fire to houses and vehicles.
Hundreds of people ran screaming from their homes, seeking shelter in churches, as Australian troops in tanks tried to restore order.
Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri said the country was facing a coup attempt, but did not know who was behind it.
He said Foreign Minister Jose Ramos Horta was holding talks with the rebels whose grievances are believed to have sparked the unrest.
