Voting begins in East Timor presidential polls

DILI: Voting began Saturday in East Timor's presidential elections, seen as a crucial test for a young democracy taking charge of its own security from UN forces.

Polls opened at 7:00 am (2200 GMT Friday), an AFP correspondent saw, with voters ready to cast their ballots in a contest that pits the incumbent Jose Ramos-Horta, a Nobel laureate, against 11 other hopefuls. (AFP)