By Xinhua
Jakarta : The East Timor government has declared a 48-hour emergency Tuesday following the assassination attempts on President Jose Ramos Horta and Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao early Monday.
In a televised address, acting president Vicente Gutterres announced the emergency that came into effect Monday night. Parliament speaker Gutterres has been appointed interim president as Horta is in Australia for treatment.
Gusmao said in another televised address that the government has imposed an overnight curfew. The motorcade of Gusmao was reportedly ambushed in coordinated attacks around dawn Monday, but he escaped unhurt.
The assassination attempts were blamed on the rebel soldiers led by fugitive leader Alfredo Reinado, who was killed in Monday’s shootout at Horta’s home.