East Timor's president was critically wounded Monday after rebel soldiers attacked him and the prime minister separately during what officials called a failed coup attempt.

By Admin, PBS News Hour

East Timor's President Xanana Gusmao appealed to the country's military and police forces Thursday to cease feuding and work together to unite the country a week after fighting flared between soldiers and rebels.

By PBS News Hour

United Nations election monitors certified the landslide victory of long-time resistance leader Xanana Gusmao in East Timor's first presidential election. The vote is one of the final steps towards the full independence of the half-island region.

Residents of the tiny half-island territory of East Timor voted overwhelmingly last weekend for a popular independence leader to become their first elected president.