East Timor President, Jose Ramos-Horta, Shot

DILI, Feb 11 (Reuters) - East Timor President Jose Ramos-Horta was shot and critically wounded at his home in Dili on Monday in an assassination attempt by rebel soldiers that analysts said could spark renewed violence and political chaos in the tiny nation.

Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao escaped injury in another shooting also on Monday morning, officials said, but the exact motives for the attacks and details of what happened remained unclear late on Monday.

Australia, which was invited to send in forces to maintain security following fresh violence in 2006, pledged to send more troops to Asia's youngest nation after the apparently coordinated attack on East Timor's two most famous independence figures.

Canberra has played a key role in helping with East Timor's security, fearing a civil war in its immediate backyard and disruption to vital energy interests in the area.

Residents in Dili reported the capital appeared calm and Gusmao said Ramos-Horta was in a stable condition after the attack in which a key rebel leader, Alfredo Reinado, was killed.

Feb 11 - Doctors in Australia say they're hopeful East Timor's President will make good recovery after a failed assassination attempt. Jose Ramos-Horta underwent emergency surgery in Australia where surgeons say they are confident he will make a full recovery.Stuart McDill reports.

source : reuters