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Rally in East Timor

DILI (East Timor): Thousands of supporters of East Timor's ousted Prime Minister streamed into the capital on Thursday under the tight guard of foreign troops as the President said early elections were the only way out of the crisis.

The protesters, who arrived in overcrowded buses, trucks and cars, were escorted by international troops in helicopters, armoured vehicles and foot. They had all been searched for weapons at a road block away from the town.

They shouted slogans in support of the former Premier, Mari Alkatiri, and his ruling Fretilin party. Bystanders on the streets raised their fists and yelled the name of the popular President Xanana Gusmao. ``We want to prove to the world that Fretilin has the majority and to demand that President Xanana Gusmao respect the Constitution in resolving this crisis,'' said an activist. — AP

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