The leader of a group of rebels accused of trying to assassinate East Timor's president has surrendered.

Gastao Salsinha and 11 other rebels handed themselves in to Deputy Prime Minister Jose Luis Guterres at the government palace in the capital, Dili.

Mr Guterres described the surrender as a "historic moment" for East Timor.

President Jose Ramos-Horta was seriously hurt in the February attack, which triggered fears for the stability of the newly-independent nation.

He underwent weeks of treatment for bullet wounds in an Australian hospital and only returned to East Timor earlier this month.

Cheney to tour Middle-East states ...
Australia troops 'can leave Iraq' ...
East Timor president shot at home ... 'Harmony and stability'

Gastao Salsinha took over the leadership of the rebels from Alfredo Reinado, who was shot dead in the attack on Mr Ramos-Horta.

His decision to surrender followed days of negotiations with officials in a house in the west of the country.

Mr Gutteres confirmed that the rebels had turned in their guns.

"So officially the rebellion is over, and now what we have to do is bring all of them to justice," he said.

"It's a historic moment for the country, and a historic moment for the people of East Timor."

"We believe that from now on the Timorese development will start and people will have a better future, as well as living in peace, harmony and stability."

(BBC)

<< Back