Protests in East Timor after raid on army rebel

DILI, March 5 (Reuters) Thousands of angry supporters of East Timor rebel leader Alfredo Reinado burnt tyres and threw stones in the capital today to protest against a raid by international troops on the fugitive's hideout.

Reinado, who led a revolt that plunged the fledgling nation into chaos last year, escaped Saturday's raid on his Same base by Australian-led international peacekeeping forces in which four people were killed.

Supporters gathered in the heart of Dili, shouting ''Long Live Alfredo'', and denounced President Xanana Gusmao, who ordered security forces to arrest Reinado following accusations the former army major led a raid on a police post and made off with 25 automatic weapons and ammunition last month.

Armed peacekeepers patrolled the streets to disperse the crowds with Reinado's supporters replying with threats to continue protesting until Gusmao withdrew his arrest order.

''You better go back to your country instead of making people suffer,'' said one of Reinado's angry supporters, pointing to Australian peacekeeping troops.

Streets emptied as international police moved to secure the city and protesters blocked roads with wrecked cars, preventing government officials from going to work, a Reuters witness said.

DIVISIONS The protest broke up in the afternoon and Gusmao called on the people of East Timor not to do anything that could destroy the nation's unity.

''We have seen many demonstrations lately that are not conveying positive messages in solving the myriad problems this country faces and on the contrary have contributed in provoking divisions among the society when this country needs unity,'' he said in a speech broadcast on television and radio.

He added the existence of international forces in East Timor was necessary ahead next month's presidential elections.

Troops are still searching for Reinado, who has been on the run since he escaped from jail in East Timor's capital Dili in August along with 50 other inmates. He has denied any of his men were killed in the raid.

After Saturday's raid, Gusmao urged Reinado to surrender, saying the government would treat him with respect. But Reinado has said he will not surrender to international troops.

Australia, which has 800 troops in East Timor, said Reinado was a threat to East Timor's security and should surrender.

''It is preferable that that threat be neutralised. But the objective obviously is to take him into custody,'' Prime Minister John Howard told Australian television.

Reinado has made several public appearances since the escape, including a meeting with the country's military chief.

Security forces did not make any attempt to arrest him.

The standoff between Reinado and the troops has raised fears of violence ahead of a presidential election next month.

East Timor voted in a 1999 referendum for independence from Indonesia, which annexed it after Portugal ended its colonial rule in 1975. The country became fully independent in 2002 after a period of UN administration.

But an east-west divide in the nation erupted into chaos and gang violence in May following the sacking of 600 soldiers.

REUTERS PDM RK1609