WELLINGTON, May 25 (Xinhua) -- New Zealand officials are seeking more information before the Government sends troops to East Timor, Prime Minister Helen Clark said Thursday.

    Clark told a Radio program that she "was considering the request for New Zealand help."

    East Timor's Foreign Minister, Jose Ramos-Horta, said Wednesday that New Zealand and Australian troops would "disarm renegade troops and police rebelling against the State," according to Radio New Zealand International.

    "So that's where we are at the present time. It's very important not to walk into what is a factional dispute, in some respects, and be seen to be taking sides," Clark said, adding "We have to also be mindful the (United Nations) Security Council is having consultations as we speak."

    Gun battles raged around Dili, capital of East Timor, for a second day running in clashes between the military and disgruntled ex-soldiers, according to local reports.

    There has been trouble in the country since five people were killed late last month during a protest by 600 soldiers sacked for desertion.

    Australia has already agreed to send troops and is offering up to 1300, some of whom could be in East Timor by Thursday afternoon, local reports said. Enditem