Fierce gunbattles raged in East Timor's capital Thursday, killing at least three people and wounding more than a dozen, as international troops started arriving in the tiny nation to help quell a rebellion by disgruntled ex-soldiers.

An East Timorese child watches as Australian soldiers arrive at Dili's airport Thursday May 25, 2006 in Dili, the capital of East Timor. The Australian troops, who came after being asked by East Timor's government were welcomed by a cheering crowd of about 100 East Timorese. East Timor has become increasingly unstable as government troops battle renegade soldiers.[AP]

U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan said he will send an envoy to the capital of the troubled country, a spokeswoman said.

Hundreds of cheering East Timorese citizens, some crying and shouting "Thank God," welcomed the first planeload of 130 Australian commandos at Dili's international airport.