General Ruak: International Stabilisation Force will withdraw in 2012

Timor Post, January 13, 2011 language source: Tetun - The Timorese Defence Force Commander Major General Taur Matan Ruak said the withdrawal of the International Stabilisation Force (ISF) will happen in 2012 after the next general elections.

"The presence of the ISF in the country has relations with the presence of the United Nations Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste (UNMIT) and there is an agreement that the ISF will be withdrawn from the country after the 2012 general election," General Ruak said.

Ruak added that the deployment of the ISF was based on the agreement made by the Timorese Government and therefore its withdrawal should not be based on one or two people's will but should be based on the decision of the Government.