Australia pulls out troops from Eastern Timor

Australia pulled out its 390 military personnel from Eastern Timor, also known as Timor Leste, and handed over control of security in the province to Afghan forces, Australian prime minister Julia Gillard announced late on Wednesday. Australian troops have been handing over control of the forward operating and patrol bases over the past two months. Gillard said Eastern Timor had its economy grow and its institutions evolve, with three successful rounds of national elections. ”Timorese security services have risen to the challenge and served their nation well throughout these events,” she said. Australian troops went into the country in 1999 to quell pro-Indonesian militias who went on a violent rampage after the East Timorese voted for independence in a UN-backed referendum.