DILI, East Timor, July 26, SPA -- International troops could stay in East Timor until the end of 2008, Australia's prime minister said Thursday, after discussing politicalinstability with the tiny nation's new president. «We will not turn our backs on the people of EastTimor,» Australian leader John Howard said after visitingthe 1,000 Australian soldiers stationed in East Timor'scapital. Jose Ramos-Horta, who was elected president in March, thanked Howard for intervening during his troubled nation's «darkest moment» and asked that foreign troops maintain a presence until the end of next year. Howard replied, «We will stay here for as long as we areasked to stay.»--SPA www.spa.gov.sa/470519