Australia PM pledges support to Timor-Leste

CANBERRA, Feb. 15 (Xinhua) -- Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd on Friday pledged strong support to Timor-Leste, saying the Australian troops will remain in Timor-Leste for as long as Timorese government wants them to.

Rudd told reporters in Dili, the capital of Timor-Leste, that his country would "stand shoulder to shoulder" with Timor-Leste.

The prime minister made a one-day visit Friday to show support to the Southeast Country which was plunged into crisis on Monday when rebels shot and seriously wounded Timor-Leste President Jose Ramos-Horta.

After the lightning visit, Rudd flew to Australia's city of Darwin to visit Ramos-Horta, who was taken to the city for medical treatment. Doctors said he is recovering from gunshot wounds.

In Dili, Rudd held talks with his counterpart Xanana Gusmao and discussed cooperation on security and assistance in the economic sphere, including agriculture and youth employment.

"East Timor is an independent democratic state and we will remain in East Timor so long as we are invited to do so by the government of East Timor," Rudd said after the meeting with Gusmao.

"We will always be open to requests from our friends in Dili as to what may be necessary for the future," the Australian Associated Press quoted Rudd as saying in Dili.

Rudd said the two countries were united by their democratic values, and Australia would be a friend to Timor-Leste in good times and in bad." Australia is not just a fair weather friend to Timor-Leste. Australia is here for the good times, the bad times, the difficult times," he told reporters.

Rudd and Gusmao embraced warmly before their meeting at Dili's Government Palace, where they discussed.

Gusmao said, "By traveling to Timor-Leste Mr. Rudd has extended the hand of solidarity between nations and demonstrated that ... peace is a priority."

The Australian prime minister also visited the Australian troops stationed in Dili, accompanied by Australian Defense Force Chief Angus Houston and Australian Federal Police Commissioner Mick Keelty.

Following the incident, Australia has reinforced its security forces in Timor-Leste, dispatching more than 300 police and soldiers to make the total Australian troops there to more than 1,000.

On Thursday, the Australian troops, backed by helicopters, launched a hunting operation to search the suspects in the attacks.

Timor-Leste has issued arrest warrants for 12 suspects involved in the attempted assassination of the country's top leaders.