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Gusmao takes charge

DILI (East Timor): East Timor's President said on Tuesday he was taking direct control of the armed forces to curb lawlessness in the capital, where machete-wielding mobs torched homes and ransacked buildings as desperate residents scuffled over food. Xanana Gusmao's announcement came shortly after Cabinet officials said the Defence and Interior Ministers had been fired during emergency meetings to deal with a crisis that has killed at least 27 persons. Mr. Gusmao announced in a statement late on Tuesday would assume sole responsibility for defence and national security to ``prevent violence and avoid further fatalities.'' The measures would take effect immediately, he said, and be valid for 30 days. At a news conference, he called the situation ``a state of grave crisis''. ``A state of siege will restrict some liberties, some freedoms and we want to avoid this,'' he said. A military rebellion spurred East Timor's descent into chaos and foreign troops have so far failed to secure the city. — AP

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