Dili – East Timorese leaders expressed their "extreme preoccupation" and "shock" Thursday over the launching of war by Washington and London against Iraq.

President Xanana Gusmco appealed to the international community "not to spare efforts to minimize the social, psychological and economic impact of war on the Iraqi people brought by military intervention".

Without directly denouncing Washington, Gusmco recalled that his country was just emerging from the ravages of conflict, underlining East Timor's commitment to "dialogue" in resolving international crises.

He stressed that "respect for international law" was "fundamental for multilateral action" against terrorism and the trafficking of arms, drugs and people.

In turn, Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri issued a statement saying his government was "shocked" that a "peaceful and consensual solution" had not been found within the UN Security Council, stressing Dili believed "more time" should have been given UN weapon inspectors in Iraq.

"The UN system should function in such a way as to never permit unilateral decisions by any country or group of countries in the search of solutions for problems that affect all humanity", Alkatiri said.

Separately, the United Nations mission in Dili advised its staff to take "increased precautions" against the eventuality of reprisal terrorist attacks in the wake of the US-led campaign in Iraq. The UNMISET mission noted, however, that it had no indication of increased security risks.