East Timor declares state of emergency

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

Acting President Vicente Gutterres announced the emergency powers in an address on national television.

The order bans demonstrations and gives police powers to raid homes without securing permission.

Dr Len Notaros, general manager of Australia’s Royal Darwin Hospital, said today that surgeons operated on President Jose Ramos-Horta overnight to remove bullet fragments and repair his wounds.

“His condition remains extremely serious but by the same token, stable,” Dr Notaros said.

Rebel soldiers separately attacked prime minister Xanana Gusmao’s motorcade yesterday but he escaped unhurt.