Dili – The UN mission chief in East Timor yesterday blamed agitators with links to Indonesia for the recent violence in the capital of Dili and the second-largest city of Baucau.

Mr Sergio Vieira de Mello said "well-known" agitators were responsible for Wednesday's alleged attempt on the life of independence leader Jose Alexandre "Xanana" Gusmao and the subsequent mob violence.

Three members of the small Democratic Republic of East Timor Party were arrested in Dili on Wednesday by international police, who said that they had been tipped off that the men would attempt to kill Mr Gusmao.

The UN has accused hardline elements within the Indonesian army before of trying to destabilise the nascent nation.