Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao said earlier that a state of emergency would come into force nationwide for at least 48 hours after President Jose Ramos-Horta was shot and wounded and he too came under ambush.

The emergency would see a curfew begin from 8pm (7pm Singapore time), Mr Gusmao said.

The declaration was supposed to be formally approved by the acting head of state, first deputy speaker of the national parliament Vicente Guterres, in Mr Ramos-Horta's absence, but he had released no statement.

An AFP correspondent said in practical terms the curfew had begun with no one on the streets, shops and kiosks shuttered barring a few hotels, and Portuguese troops on patrol on several roads.

Security was light at the government palace which had been swarming with security forces earlier in the day, but tight at the upscale Hotel Timor, where foreign dignitaries usually stay, he said.

A man not in uniform who did not identify himself approached the correspondent and told him to go home as the curfew was on.

'This is already a curfew... Nobody should walk on the streets during the night and no one can guarantee their safety. It is better for you to go home and stay there,' he said.

Mr Gusmao told East Timor's million-strong population in his statement that they should 'be united in overcoming or passing this challenge that opposes our stability. Now we should remain together calmly in overcoming this moment'.

'I especially address myself to our youth, because I know that many of you are still feeling an urge to rebel,' he said. 'You should not imitate the evil deeds of an armed group which without justification wants to kill other people and damage the sovereignty and stability of the state,' he added. -- AFP

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