East Timor leader pleads for peace

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.

The situation was tense but calm in the capital, Dili, where at least 20 people were killed last week in violence.

Mr Gusmao urged people to stay at home overnight, his spokesman Agio Pereira said, but denied the call amounted to a curfew.