Australia's Prime Minister Kevin Rudd made a brief visit to East Timor's locked-down capital Dili today in a show of strength after a double assassination attempt on the fledgling nation's leadership.
With President Jose Ramos-Horta recovering from double gunshot wounds in an Australian hospital, Mr Rudd shook hands with his East Timor counterpart Xanana Gusmao before meeting senior United Nations and Australian military officials.
Security was tight in Dili for Mr Rudd's expected three-hour visit, with Canberra having sent more than 200 rapid-reaction troops and police to reinforce local and international security forces, including 800 Australian troops already on the ground.
"The purpose of my visit today is to state in clear and loud terms that Australia will stand shoulder to shoulder into the future in the defence of East Timor's democratic system of government," Mr Rudd said at a joint press conference with Mr Gusmao.
He said Australian troops would stay for as long as East Timor's government wanted them to be there. The two leaders also discussed further economic co-operation in areas such as infrastructure development, youth employment and rural development.
In Dili, the streets were calm and shops, offices and banks were open. Fears of violence in the wake of the double assassination attempt have so far proved unfounded.
Mr Ramos-Horta (58), was shot at his home on Monday after rebel soldiers led by Alfredo Reinado launched a pre-dawn assault. Reinado was killed in the gunfight, while Mr Gusmao escaped injury in a near-simultaneous attack on his motorcade.
East Timor's parliament has imposed a state of emergency following the latest unrest. The country's prosecutor-general issued arrest warrants for 24 people suspected of involvement in the attacks.
Reinado was buried yesterday as United Nations police kept close watch over supporters and mourners for signs of violence. He led a revolt against the government and was charged with murder after factional violence in 2006. Later that year, he escaped jail with 50 other inmates