KUALA LUMPUR, May 25 (Xinhua) -- Malaysia has sent an advance team of 25 military personnel to the violence-hit Timor Leste to gauge the situation there, Deputy Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak said Thursday.

    Malaysia made the decision at the request of Timor Leste Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri, said Najib, who is also defense minister.

    Mari Alkatiri made a call to Najib on Wednesday, requesting Malaysia's assistance in dealing with the unrest there, said Najib.

    "The team left at about 11 this morning (0300 GMT). This is a prelude to the main body that will go there subsequently," Najib told reporters in the administrative center of Putrajaya.

    Malaysia is planning to send a peacekeeping force of about 500 personnel under the United Nations banner, said the deputy prime minister, adding that the figure could change depending on the situation.

    Najib added his country is now seeking a mandate from the United Nations. Enditem