(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-02-12 14:44

JAKARTA -- The Timor-Leste government on Tuesday declared a 48-hour state of emergency after assassination attempts on the country's leadership that left President Ramos Horta seriously wounded.

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In a televised address, Acting President Vicente Gutterres announced the emergency that was actually effective from Monday night.

Parliament Speaker Gutterres was appointed interim president as Horta was in Australia for medical treatment.

Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao also said in another televised address the government has imposed an overnight curfew.

The motorcade of Gusmao reportedly was ambushed in the coordinated attacks around dawn Monday, but he escaped unhurt.

The assassination attempts were blamed on rebel soldiers led by fugitive renegade leader Alfredo Reinado, who was killed in Monday's shoot-outs at Horta's home.