JAKARTA, May 24 (Xinhua) -- The East Timor's government has agreed to invite foreign troops to help restore calm owing to the ongoing violence between military and disgruntled ex-soldiers, Foreign Minister Jose Ramos Horta said on Wednesday.

    "We have officially asked help from Australia, New Zealand, Portugal and Malaysia ... and so far Australia and New Zealand have promised to come immediately," Horta said, adding that troops from New Zealand and Australia were expected to arrive as soon as on Thursday morning.

    Earlier Wednesday, the United States and Australia ordered the evacuation of nonessential personnel and advised their citizens to immediately leave the country.

    East Timor has been plagued by unrest since nearly 600 soldiers were fired earlier this year. At least two people were killed and nine others were wounded in clashes in the past two days, doctors and government officials said. Enditem