East Timor celebrated its independence from Indonesia on May 20, 2002. Relations between East Timor and Indonesia have since eased considerably.

Trouble returned in 2006, this time internally. Unrest through April and May involved fighting between rival security force factions and ethnic gangs, leading to the deaths of at least 21 people and forcing about 150,000 people from their homes.

The unrest had its origins in the sacking of about 600 soldiers, who had deserted their barracks complaining of discrimination. A number of countries sent troops to the country to help ease the situation.

Calm was largely restored after the then-prime minister and Fretilin party secretary-general, Mari Alkatiri, who was behind the sackings, stepped down.

Nobel laureate Jose Ramos-Horta emerged to restore stability and was appointed East Timor's second post-independence prime minister.

In early 2007, President Xanana Gusmao authorised the capture of rebel leader Alfredo Reinado by international forces.

The nation votes in its second presidential election on April 9, with a second round of voting on May 9.

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More than half a million East Timorese go to the polls to vote for a new President and replace Xanana Gusmao. The vote is shaping-up as a test for the country's democracy since independence in 2002.

Presenter - Anne Barker in Dili
Speakers - Lu Olo, East Timorese presidential candidate and parliamentary speaker; Jose Ramos Horta, East Timorese prime minister