The man who allegedly shot and critically wounded East Timor’s president last month was in custody today after surrendering to police.

Ireland can play a vital role in resolving global conflicts by sharing experiences of its troubled history, it was claimed today.

Australian troops backed by helicopters today launched a manhunt for suspects in the attacks on East Timor’s top leaders.

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.

Rebel soldiers shot and badly wounded East Timor's president and opened fire on the prime minister in what was said to be a failed coup in the recently-independent nation.

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.

Security forces fired tear gas and rubber bullets at crowds setting government buildings on fire after independence hero Xanana Gusmao was named as East Timor’s new prime minister, police and witnesses said.

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.

Nobel Prize winner Jose Ramos-Horta vowed to heal deep political and social rifts in East Timor after poll results showed him on course for a landslide victory in presidential elections in Asia’s newest nation.

Troubled East Timor today voted for a new president, choosing between a Nobel Prize winner and an ex-freedom fighter in an election critical to maintaining peace a year after the tiny nation was pushed to the brink of civil war.

East Timor began voting today for a new president, a critical step in Asia’s newest nation following violence and political turmoil last year that took it to the brink of civil war.

Voters in East Timor lined up today to choose a new president, hoping the election would end bitter political rivalries and widespread poverty threatening the future of Asia’s youngest nation.

Hundreds of young men supporting rival political parties clashed in East Timor’s capital today, the final day of campaigning for next week’s presidential elections.

East Timor’s prime minister resigned today, setting off celebrations in the violence-scarred capital and raising hopes for an end to the political crisis gripping the nation.

East Timor’s embattled prime minister announced his resignation today, triggering celebrations in the violence-scarred capital and raising hopes for an end to weeks of political turmoil and unrest.

EAST Timor’s president backed off a threat to resign yesterday, telling thousands of flag-waving supporters he would not abandon them as the country searched for a solution to weeks of political turmoil and bloody street battles.

East Timor’s president gave his beleaguered prime minister a dismal choice today – resign or be fired – saying he no longer had the trust of the people following weeks of bloody street battles in the capital.

EAST Timor President Xanana Gusmao made an emotional plea for peace after weeks of violence, as the tiny country’s rebel leader pressed him to oust the unpopular prime minister.

Xanana Gusmao, the President of East Timor, has arrived in Ireland on a two-day official visit.

Xanana Gusmao’s expected landslide victory in East Timor’s first presidential elections completes the transformation of the charismatic poet and guerrilla leader to a respected statesman.

Election officials today began counting votes from East Timor’s first presidential election, as political leaders predicted a landslide victory for former resistance leader Xanana Gusmao.

East Timor’s independence leader Xanana Gusmao travelled to the neighbouring Indonesian province of West Timor today in another effort to persuade about 50,000 remaining refugees to return home.