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East Timor president shot at home | East Timor president shot at home |
(30 minutes later) | |
East Timor's President Jose Ramos-Horta is in a stable condition after he was shot in the stomach by rebel soldiers in a pre-dawn attack, a spokesman said. | |
Alfredo Reinado, a renegade soldier who had threatened to use force against the government, was killed by presidential guards during the attack. | |
Gunmen also opened fire on a convoy carrying Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao, but no-one was injured. | |
Mr Gusmao described the incidents as an attack on the state. | |
The attack on Mr Ramos-Horta happened at around 0600 on Monday (2100GMT Sunday). | |
Two cars drove past the president's house on the outskirts of the capital, Dili, and shooting began, army spokesman Major Domingos de Camara said. | |
One soldier was also reported to be seriously wounded. | One soldier was also reported to be seriously wounded. |
JOSE RAMOS-HORTA Founder of East Timor's independence movementSpent 24 years in exile after Indonesia invadedWon Nobel Peace Prize in 1996Former journalist, fluent in five languages Profile: Jose Ramos-Horta | JOSE RAMOS-HORTA Founder of East Timor's independence movementSpent 24 years in exile after Indonesia invadedWon Nobel Peace Prize in 1996Former journalist, fluent in five languages Profile: Jose Ramos-Horta |
Mr Ramos-Horta was taken to a hospital run by the Australian military in Dili. | Mr Ramos-Horta was taken to a hospital run by the Australian military in Dili. |
"The condition of the president is stable. He's got a small injury to his abdomen," spokesman Jose Turquel said. | "The condition of the president is stable. He's got a small injury to his abdomen," spokesman Jose Turquel said. |
"He's being taken care of at the Australian hospital right now and we may move him down to Australia for further assistance if needed." | "He's being taken care of at the Australian hospital right now and we may move him down to Australia for further assistance if needed." |
Shots were also fired at the prime minister's car, but he was not hurt. | |
Mr Gusmao told a press briefing that the situation was under control. | Mr Gusmao told a press briefing that the situation was under control. |
"Even though the state has been attacked by an armed group and the president was wounded, the state is in control of stability... The current situation is proceeding normally and is under control," he said. | "Even though the state has been attacked by an armed group and the president was wounded, the state is in control of stability... The current situation is proceeding normally and is under control," he said. |
Security had been tightened in Dili, UN officials said. | |
Unrest fear | Unrest fear |
An Australian-led UN force has been in charge of security in the capital since mid-2006. | An Australian-led UN force has been in charge of security in the capital since mid-2006. |
Reinado has been indicted over the 2006 unrest in East Timor | Reinado has been indicted over the 2006 unrest in East Timor |
Peacekeepers were invited into the country to quell violent clashes between police and the military, triggered by then Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri's decision to sack a third of the armed forces. | |
At least 37 people were killed in several weeks of fighting and more than 150,000 were forced to flee their homes. | At least 37 people were killed in several weeks of fighting and more than 150,000 were forced to flee their homes. |
Reinado was accused of being involved in several shooting incidents during the violence and charged with murder. | |
But he escaped from jail and, with a group of followers, had since been holed up in the mountains, refusing government pleas to surrender. | |
His continued stand-off with the government had led to fears of renewed violence. | |
Mr Ramos-Horta is a political veteran. | |
He spent 24 years in exile after Indonesian troops invaded East Timor in 1975, leading the country's bid for independence from overseas and winning the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts. | |
He served in the more powerful role of prime minister in the wake of the 2006 violence, before elections last year which saw him switch roles with then President Xanana Gusmao. | |
East Timor gained independence in 2002. | East Timor gained independence in 2002. |