E Timor president Ramos-Horta returns home

The visibly thinner president stepped off a plane from the Australian city of Darwin to a hero`s welcome from more than 1,000 supporters and figures from across the tiny Asian nation`s fractious political spectrum.

Crowds waving East Timorese flags and wearing white T-shirts emblazoned with the face of the Nobel Laureate watched a military reception marking Ramos-Horta`s arrival.

The president appeared close to tears as he embraced Timorese military chief Taur Matan Ruak on the carpet leading from the plane.

Asked by reporters how he was feeling, Ramos-Horta said simply, "I`m fine."

Ramos-Horta was wounded during a February 11 attack on his home that left guerrilla leader Alfredo Reinado and one other rebel dead.

The convoy of Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao was also fired on in a
near-simultaneous attack.

A number of rebels are ...