LISBON, May 24 (Xinhua) -- Portugal will send a detachment of its Republican National Guard to the Pacific state of East Timor, following a call for help from East Timorese President Xanana Gusmao, Portuguese Prime Minister Jose Socrates announced on Wednesday.

    He said Portugal would respond quickly to the appeal and helped resume calm in East Timor, adding that the military action would be coordinated with other countries and the United Nations.

    Portuguese President Anibal Cavaco Silva said the situation in East Timor was very serious, and Portugal would unite with the East Timorese people and do all it could to restore peace.

    Costa Cabral, a spokesman for the country's National Guard, said it was unclear whether the force would come under the United Nations supervision or would act on their own.

    East Timor has been plagued by unrest since nearly 600 soldiers were sacked earlier this year. At least two people were killed and nine others wounded during clashes in the past two days. Enditem