Morgan Mellish, Dili – Australian police have taken over patrolling the streets of Dili from the army, in a sign authorities are confident order has been re-established in East Timor's capital.

The head of the international taskforce, Brigadier Mick Slater, said the change was a major step towards shifting the mission from a military operation to a police operation.

He said it would open the way for some of the 2500 troops to be sent back to Australia, although that would not happen immediately. "The soldiers who have been on the streets until now are still held essentially in reserve," he said. "They are a quick response force that can respond if the police need further assistance."

For now, officers from the Australian Federal Police – as well as some from Malaysia and New Zealand – will patrol the streets of Dili from dawn until midnight. Heavily armed soldiers will patrol from midnight until dawn.

If this is successful, the police will take over full-time patrolling in about two weeks. Brigadier Slater cautioned it would be many months before East Timor's police force, which effectively disintegrated during the recent violence, would be able to take over. Former prime minister Mari Alkatiri is scheduled to be questioned today by prosecutors about allegations he authorised the arming of a civilian militia to target his political opponents. Mr Alkatiri denies the allegations.

East Timor's Prosecutor-General, Longuinhos Monteiro, said Mr Alkatiri had been officially named as a suspect and was being compelled to attend the questioning, which could go on for several days. Mr Alkatiri might be detained at the end of the questioning.

He was ousted last month after several weeks of violence sparked by his decision to sack 600 soldiers. Brigadier Slater said there were concerns Mr Alkatiri's supporters could cause trouble at the hearing and extra security was being put in place.

Many shops and businesses in the capital have reopened, but aid organisations say they are still providing food and other services to about 72,000 people in Dili and 80,000 in the countryside.

During a visit here on Tuesday, Prime Minister John Howard declared Australia's military, which arrived in Dili on May 26, had done its job and the operation would be soon scaled back. The supply vessel HMAS Kanimbla left yesterday for Australia and four out of eight Black Hawk helicopters will leave soon.