Voters in East Timor are casting ballots in landmark presidential elections paving the way for the country to be formally declared independent. 

Former guerrilla leader Xanana Gusmao is expected to win Sunday's vote over Francisco Xavier do Amaral. A heavy turnout is expected. 

The United Nations has overseen East Timor since 1999 when the territory voted for independence after 24 years of Indonesian occupation. After the ballot, Indonesian troops and militiamen went on a rampage of murder and destruction. The terror ended only when international peacekeepers arrived. 

Officials results are not expected until Wednesday. 

East Timor is set to become the world's newest country on May 20, when the U.N. administration hands over control to the local government. 

Some information for this report provided by Reuters and AFP.

Email this article to a friend.
Printer Friendly Version