The Nobel Peace laureate was shot in the stomach and after an initial surgery in East Timor’s capital of Dili, he was evacuated to the northern Australian city of Darwin. Hospital officials said he was in critical condition, on a ventilator and “in an induced coma”.

Earlier, Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd described Ramos-Horta as being in a “very serious but stable condition... I’m deeply shocked by developments this morning in East Timor.” 

More troops

Australia said it was sending more troops and police to East Timor in a bid to help “secure democracy”. Rebel soldiers also opened fire on the motorcade of Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao, who described the assassination bids on him and the President as a “coup attempt”.

Rudd said, “What we had, apparently, are co-ordinated attacks aimed at assassinating the democratically elected leadership of East Timor, a close friend and partner of Australia.”

He also said he would be visiting East Timor later in the week, following a request from the Prime Minister.

Ban shocked

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon strongly condemned the attacks on the two top leaders. He “is shocked and dismayed” to learn about the attacks, the UN said in a statement.

The Portuguese government also strongly condemned the attacks against the president and prime minister of East Timor, its former colony.