President Takes Over National Security Duties
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From Times Wire Reports
East Timor President Jose Alexandre Gusmao said he was assuming emergency powers over national security after mobs burned homes and ransacked buildings in Dili, the capital, and desperate residents scuffled over scarce food.
The announcement came shortly after Cabinet officials said the defense and interior ministers had been fired.
The unrest started as sporadic clashes between former soldiers and government troops but has spiraled into gang warfare.
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