East Timor authorities urged the rebels believed to be involved in the assassination attempt of President Jose Ramos-Horta to surrender, after four people have already been arrested in connection with the attacks.

One week ago, rebel forces tried to kill East Timor’s President and its Prime Minister, Xanana Gusmao, but failed. The head of the state is currently recovering in Australia, after being shot twice in the back, while the Prime Minister managed to escape unhurt.

Authorities suspect that at least 17 people have been involved in the attacks, and issued an arrest warrant for the new leader of the rebels, Gastao Salsinha, who came in command after former rebel leader Alfredo Reinado was killed in last week’s attacks.

Attorney General Longuinhos Monteiro confirmed the arrest on Sunday of 38-year-old Angelita Pires, who is believed to have been Reinado’s accomplice in the attacks. The woman has not been charged with a crime yet, but investigations continue.

East Timor president Fernando Araujo said during a news conference that the current rebel leader should “hand over weapons to face justice,” but at the same time, he promised that police forces will respect all human rights regarding him.

Officials also reported that at least 200 people have been detained for breaking emergency laws instated after the assassination attempt on the country’s president. Apparently the 200 failed to submit to the regulations and were on streets at night.

Some may consider the emergency state, which is still in place, to be a bit dramatic, but if we think of it, the country hasn’t managed to achieve a much needed stability ever since its independence in 2002. The government has been constantly in conflict with the rebels for the past two years after hundreds of soldiers have been fired for going on strike to protest against discrimination.