Timor police force takes control

East Timor's fledgling police force and Army have taken over security from United Nations peacekeepers, although hundreds of foreign troops will stay in case of unexpected conflict.

East Timor became formally independent on May 20, 2002, after centuries of Portuguese rule and 24 years of Indonesian occupation.

The UN peacekeeping contingent has now been cut to 700 military and civilian personnel under a fresh mandate which is expected to last for a year.

In a ceremony in the capital of Dili, UN and East Timorese police marched around a field where the handover was held.