The half-island nation, officially called Timor Leste, will also be granted observer status at high-level Asean meetings, the bloc said after regional leaders met in Phnom Penh for a summit.

Dozens more are still missing and thousands have been left homeless.

Indonesia’s weather agency said a tropical cyclone is approaching, warning that it could bring yet more rain, strong waves, and high winds.

The case against Richard Daschbach is East Timor’s first child sex case brought against a priest.