A member of A Coy, 5/7RAR, stands guard at the front of the Australian Embassy in Dili, East Timor. Photo by Cpl Wade Laube 1JPAU(P)

5/7RAR on guard

From Cpl Jonathan Garland
in Timor
AUSTRALIAN soldiers are providing security at the Australian Embassy in Dili, East Timor, while permanent protective measures are being put in place.

Members of A Coy, 5/7 RAR, rotate through security responsibilities at the embassy, as well as their work on the border.

5/7RAR Public Relations Officer Lt David French said their role was to protect Australian interests from any external threat.

“We’ll remain in place until the bollards are complete and in place, then a decision will be made as to whether we remain or not,” he said.

The embassy is installing protective bollards on the street to safeguard the compound from ram raids or vehicle attacks on the buildings and the personnel inside.

Chubb Security are providing security services to the embassy, creating employment and training opportunities for East Timorese locals.

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