East Timor declared independent
East Timor has today become an independent state, after years of military occupation by Indonesian forces.
At 4pm Irish time, the United Nation’s Secretary General, Kofi Annan handed over control to the world's newest country.
International dignitaries including Nelson Mandela and Bill Clinton are among those in attendance.
Tom Hyland from the East Timor Ireland Solidarity Campaign is in East Timor.
He says Ireland deserves a special place at the celebrations: "Ireland has played possibly one of the most honourable roles in getting the Timorese here, and also in standing in solidarity with them, and particular congratulations to Dick Spring and to David Andrews and people like David Norris."
He continued: "I think Ireland was one of the few countries that walked that long struggle with the East Temorese to independence. Many countries turned their back on them, but congratulations to the Irish Government and also indeed the Irish people."
