Dili, 20 August 2009 - Today marks the 34th anniversary of the formation of the Forças Armadas

da Libertação Nacional de Timor-Leste (FALINTIL)- translated in English as The Armed Forces for the National Liberation of East Timor. Established on 20 August 1975, FALINTIL was officially dissolved on 1 February 2001. At the resumption of independence in 2002 the official armed force of the newly independent Timor-Leste was named FALINTIL–Força de Defesa de Timor Leste (F-FDTL).

To commemorate the anniversary, the Government of Timor-Leste is holding activities in the nation's capital city, Dili. Another important event will take place on 29 August when the remains of deceased FALINTIL soldiers will be in reinterred in the Dili district of Metinaro, the site of the Hero's Cemetery. Part of UNMIT's mandate is to assist the Government to conduct a comprehensive review of the future role and needs of the security sector, including F-FDTL, the Ministry of Defence, the National Police of Timor-Leste (PNTL) and the Ministry of Interior.