United Nations ? East Timor, the world’s youngest country, became the 191st member of the United Nations on Friday, just months after achieving independence and three years after shaking off often-brutal Indonesian occupation.

Diplomats from around the world applauded, rather than formally voted, to accept the tiny Southeast Asian nation, ruled by Portugal for centuries, as the newest U.N. member. The country’s president, Xanana Gusmao, vowed to build a “tolerant and just” society from a community wracked by decades of violence and suffering.

“Peace and stability are what our people yearn for,” said the 55-year-old Gusmao, who was welcomed at a ceremony in the General Assembly Hall by ambassadors and U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan.

Gusmao, a former guerrilla fighter who spent seven years in jail and under house arrest, and Annan stood under an overcast sky as U.N. guards hoisted the black, red and yellow flag and a flutist played the Timorese national anthem.

Gusmao said it was a moment of pride “as we see our colors gleaming with those of other 190 states.”

“The honor of being here derives from representing the courage of women, the uplifted spirit of the sacrifice of men, the determination of the youths and the smile of the children of the crocodile nation,” Gusmao said.

He said later he was pre-occupied with the daunting task of providing jobs, education and a better life for the 850,000 people in East Timor, which was born May 20 as Asia’s poorest country.

U.N. officers raise the flag of East Timor for the first time at the United Nations after the country became the 191st member of the United Nations. From left foreground Friday are East Timor's President Xanana Gusmao, Secretary-General of the United Nations Kofi Annan and Prime Minister of Portugal Jose Durao Barroso.

The United Nations took over the administration of East Timor in 1999 after its people voted overwhelmingly for independence from Indonesia in a U.N.-sponsored referendum.

The vote triggered a wave of violence by the Indonesian military and its militia supporters in which thousands of people were killed.