Dili, East Timor ? Clashes in East Timor’s capital have left rows of small, brightly painted stone houses looted, burned and abandoned. Violence decreased somewhat after foreign peacekeepers arrived more than a week ago, yet more than half the city’s 150,000 residents have fled their homes and now live in crowded camps facing food and water shortages.

Parliament convened today to address East Timor’s turmoil, an attempt to revive the workings of a government paralyzed by factional rifts and security concerns. But some lawmakers were unable to attend because of safety concerns or lack of transport.

A quorum of at least 45 lawmakers in the 88-seat Parliament met as foreign troops deployed on the streets of Dili, some firing tear gas to break up clashes between rock-throwing gangs near a bridge leading to the airport.

Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri faces calls for his ouster by those blaming him for the crisis, sparked by his firing of 600 disgruntled soldiers from the 1,400-strong army.