Peace needs to come quickly to Dili: NZ PM

It is hoped New Zealand troops who arrived in Timor-Leste on Saturday night will help quickly restore peace to troubled Dili, New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark said on Sunday.

The Prime Minister said that there is a consensus with Australia and the UN that Timor-Leste will need an international intervention force at least until next year.

Clark told a local Radio program New Zealand to get in and offer help to the country immediately, but the situation will be assessed and more will be done if necessary.

"Violence in Timor-Leste capital Dili escalated, and New Zealand ambassador Ruth Nuttall having to be evacuated Saturday to the Australian embassy for her own safety," Clark said, adding " the ambassador has been shot at, and it is a terrifying time for everyone in Dili."

The New Zealand government has committed half a million NZ dollars (300,000 U.S. dollars) in aid to the troubled territory.

In addition to a 42-strong troops who arrived in Timor-Leste on Saturday night, another 124 New Zealand peacekeeping staffs have left here for the country.

"New Zealand will have around 200 soldiers on the ground, along with 1,500 Australian soldiers and the troops from Malaysia, Portugal and the United States," New Zealand Defense Minister Phil Goff said.

Source: Xinhua