Prosecutors in East Timor prepared arrest warrants today for 18 rebel soldiers allegedly involved in assassination attempts against the president and prime minister, while foreign troops boosted security amid fears of more unrest.

Australian troops backed by a warship arrived in East Timor today after rebels shot and seriously wounded the president.

East Timor authorities declared a two-day state of emergency today, one day after assassination attempts on the country’s president and prime minister.

EAST TIMOR President Jose Ramos-Horta was shot and seriously wounded yesterday by rebel soldiers in an assassination attempt that plunged the fledgling nation into a fresh crisis.

The president of East Timor was seriously ill in an Australian hospital today after being shot during a failed coup.

Australia’s foreign minister today became the highest-level foreign official to visit East Timor since it installed a new government.

Former resistance fighter Xanana Gusmao was sworn in as East Timor’s prime minister today as violence by supporters of the party shut out of the new government entered a third day.

East Timor’s president is due to announce the formation of a new government today, as recently ousted prime minister Mari Alkatiri said he wanted his old job back.