East Timor rebel leader surrenders

The leader of a group of East Timor rebels accused of trying to assassinate President Jose Ramos-Horta in February has surrendered to authorities, the country's deputy prime minister Jose Luis Guterres said.

Gastao Salsinha and 12 of his men surrendered to Mr Guterres at the government palace in the capital Dili during a meeting behind closed doors.

"Today is a great day for the East Timor people ... ," Mr Guterres said.

The surrender will raise hopes that Asia's youngest nation may now be able to find some stability since a hard-won independence from Indonesia in 2002.