Timorese political leaders condemn recent attacks on top officials – UN

In a meeting held at the United Nations headquarters in Dili today, leaders of Timor-Leste's political parties strongly condemned the attacks on Monday that injured the country's president and targeted its prime minister.

According to the UN Mission in Timor-Leste (UNMIT), political party leaders unanimously condemned the attacks, while agreeing that strong action should be take to apprehend the perpetrators, and that a thorough investigation into the affair was required.

Political party leaders also noted that any investigation should seek to unearth the motives behind the attack as well as to identify the perpetrators. The need for the perpetrators to be brought to justice in accordance with the rule of law was also cited.

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's Special Representative, Atul Khare, agreed that strong action was needed, and would be taken, and added that human rights should be respected in the nation's pursuit of the rule of law, UNMIT said in a news release.

President Jose Ramos-Horta was reported to be in serious condition in hospital in Australia after earlier undergoing surgery following the shooting at his home. The Prime Minister was not injured in a separate attack on his motorcade, but the fugitive leader Alfredo Reinado was killed in fighting.