Timor-Leste's fugitive rebel leader Alfredo Reinado has asked for negotiations with an Australian-led international force surrounding his hideout, as Canberra is considering a request from Timor-Leste's leaders to capture him, according to an Australian Broadcasting Corporation radio report Thursday.

It was reported that Reinado hopes to resolve the standoff through dialogue and negotiations.

An Australian-led international force is understood to have blockaded the rebel soldiers near the town of Same, about 50 kilometers south of the Timor-Leste's capital of Dili.

A former central committee member of the ruling Fretilin party, Vincente Ximenes, told Australian Broadcasting Corporation radio that Timor-Leste's prosecutor-general has been sent to negotiate with Reinado.

"We're trying our best to avoid bloodshed," he was quoted as saying.

The prosecutor-general is heading to Same, to look for ways of negotiation with the Alfredo group, he said.

"(President Xanana Gusmao) has had long experience in negotiation and mediation - that's why he's sending now, the prosecutor-general to meet with Alfredo," he said.

However, Reinado, who escaped from prison last September, after leading some armed soldiers into the mountains, vows to fight "to the death."

Meanwhile, the Australian government is considering an official request from Timor-Leste for Australian-led international forces in the country to arrest Reinado.

Australian Defense Minister Brendan Nelson said Timor-Leste's president and prime minister have made a formal request for the rebel leader to be apprehended.

"I think the most important thing is that Major Reinado, who has a number of supporters and has weapons, should do the right and honorable thing and hand himself and his weapons in to the East Timorese (Timor-Leste's) security forces and indeed the Australian Defence Force," he said.

"That is the best possible outcome here for East Timor (Timor- Leste)," said Nelson.

(Xinhua News Agency March 1, 2007)