BAUCAU. East Timor Feb 1: The Australian-led International force began handing over responsibility for security to a UN peacekeeping force in east Timor with an emotional ceremony in the territory's second largest city, reports AP.

The emergency is over, the job of the international force is done." Maj. Gen. Peter Cosgrove told the soldiers of a Thai battalion based in Baucau. 140 kilometers east of the capital Dili.

"My pride in you knows no bounds." said Cosgrove, who commands the multinational force which arrived in East Timor on Sept 20.

Many of the soldiers in the Thai contingent will stay on in East Timor as part of the UN force, which is due to take full control of the former Indonesian province by the end of the month.

International troops deployed to East Timor to restore peace and security after much of the province was destroyed by pro-Jakarta militias in the wake of the Aug. 30 independence referendum.

As part of Tuesday's ceremony. 210 Thai. Korean and Filipino troops swapped their camouflage green caps for blue berets as the UN flag was raised over Baucau.

The commander of the UN force. Lt Gen. Jaime de los Santos of the Philippines, took over control of the eastern sec tor of East Timor from Cos-Srove. assuming command of ic 2,500 soldiers tn the region.

"It is not a time to relax be cause there are still a lot of responsibilities for us to perform," Santos said.

The UN force is expected to comprise almost 9,000 troops from 23 nations.