East Timor president returns home

Doctors say Mr Ramos-Horta has almost entirely recovered

The president of East Timor has flown home, two months after being shot and seriously wounded by rebel soldiers.

Thousands of supporters greeted Jose Ramos-Horta in the capital, Dili, on his return from Australia, where he had been treated for his injuries.

Despite the shooting, Mr Ramos-Horta told the BBC he was determined not to change his style and would continue to mix with the people.

Two rebels were shot dead during the February attack on the president.

Surrender plea

Mr Ramos-Horta was met at the airport by Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao, who escaped unhurt when rebels ambushed his motorcade on the same day as the attack on the president.

Other ministers and opposition leader Mari Alkatiri were also there to greet him.

Large crowds cheered and waved banners bearing the slogan "Welcome home our beloved president! We love you!"

Mr Ramos-Horta told the BBC he was "overwhelmed" by the "extraordinary" show of support and pledged to continue mixing closely with his people.

"I'm not going to be deterred from threats to be with the poor because after all I'm president to serve the poor of this country, I'm not going to hide in my office or in my home."

Earlier, he had urged new rebel leader Gustao Salsinha and his allies to give themselves up.

"I ask Salsinha to surrender, to come to Dili, surrender his weapon and surrender himself to the prosecutor's office," he said.

"There is only one place for him to talk, that is in court... only a court can decide whether he is guilty or not."

Gustao Salsinha is thought to have replaced Alfredo Reinado, who was killed in the attack, as the leader of the fugitive soldiers.

Thousands gathered in Dili's streets to greet the president

East Timorese and international troops have been hunting for them since the February shooting.

Mr Ramos-Horta suffered bullet wounds to the chest and spent two weeks in a medically-induced coma.

His doctor told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation that he was now almost completely fit again.

"The wounds have completely closed," said Dr Rui de Araujo.

"He still has some neuropathic pain, but that is normal for the kind of damage he had... Medically speaking he is up to 90% cured."

The rebels have been on the run since 2006 - when the sacking of 600 soldiers sparked huge unrest.

Dozens of people were killed and some 150,000 displaced as factional violence and looting engulfed the country. Some 2,500 foreign troops were called in to restore order.