Detainees face off against guards

PERTH, Australia -- More than 300 detainees armed with knives and sharpened broomsticks were in a standoff against security guards Sunday night at an illegal-immigrant detention center in Australia's remote northwest, officials said.

Federal justice minister Chris Ellison said authorities were trying to negotiate with the illegal immigrants carrying curtain rods, sharpened broomsticks, knives and cleavers at the Curtin Detention Center in Western Australia state.

The nationalities of the protesters, whose numbers make up most of the 340 people being held inside the compound in the town of Derby, were not immediately available.

Force could be used

Ellison said the government has not ruled out using force to end the standoff.

"Our patience is not limitless and we will not see this situation go for any lengthy period of time.

'If this situation cannot be resolved peacefully, then we will use other means to resolve it," Ellison said.

"But I stress that we will not reach any agreement without first having the weapons handed over and those responsible for this disturbance being handed over as well," he added.

The standoff comes two days after asylum seekers whose applications to stay in Australia were rejected rioted at the center and injured 14 security guards, one seriously.

Foreigners who illegally enter Australia seeking refugee status are held at such centers while their applications are considered, a process that sometimes takes years.

Rejected applicants are usually deported to their home countries.

The detention system has been heavily criticized in Australia and abroad.