East Timor: UN ends peacekeeping mission 31 December 2012 Last updated at 04:29 The UN officially ends its peacekeeping operations in East Timor on Monday. UN forces have been pulling out since October when East Timorese security forces took over responsibility for maintaining law and order. The UN played a vital role in East Timor's independence by organising the 1999 referendum which ended Indonesia's 24-year occupation. UN peacekeeping troops returned in 2006 after a failed military coup led to social and political instability. Finn Reske-Nielsen, chief of the UN Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste (Unmit), said in a statement: "The Timorese people and its leaders have shown courage and unswerving resolve to overcome great challenges. Although there remains much work ahead, this is an historic moment in recognising the progress already made. He said the withdrawal did not mark an end to the partnership between the UN and East Timor, as "challenges still remain." The UN directly administered the country until 2002 when it formally became a nation. An Australian-led International Stabilisation Force (ISF) was also deployed in 2006 amid violence that forced thousands of people from their homes. The ISF ended its mission last month. Correspondents say that, as one of Asia's poorest nations, East Timor will rely on outside help for many years.