East Timor launches operation against rebels

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Nobel laureate Jose Ramos-Horta, 58, is recovering in hospital in Australia after being shot and critically wounded at his home in Dili on Monday in an attack by rebel soldiers.

Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao escaped injury in another shooting, also believed to have been carried out by followers of rebel leader Alfredo Reinado who was killed during the attack on Ramos-Horta.

"We know that residents are hiding them (rebels). We call on the people to stop protecting them because by doing so they put their lives at risk," East Timor's military chief, Brigadier-General Taur Matan Ruak, told a news conference.

"We call on the people to contribute to a peaceful solution to the problem. For two years they supported Alfredo, but what have they got?"

Ruak said security forces were questioning more than 30 people in relation to the attacks and would start going to people's houses to look for the rebels.

Dili was calm on Saturday. "I want to spend the weekend relaxing because it has been a bad time for us this past week," said Dili resident, Ernesto Pereira, on the beachfront.

"The emergency status means I have to go home before dusk so we should enjoy ourselves while we can."

A state of emergency is in place until February 23.

Ruak urged soldiers who were sacked in 2006 to join others who have agreed to talks with the government to address their grievances.

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