East Timorese Defense Force soldiers stand at attention as they are inspected by Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao, 22 Feb 2008

East Timor's parliament has approved a 30-day extension of the state of emergency imposed after suspected rebels tried to kill the country's two top leaders.

Lawmakers overwhelmingly voted for the extension Friday.  The measure imposes a nighttime curfew and bans gatherings and rallies.

Meanwhile, more than 1,000 Timorese police and soldiers are being deployed on a nationwide search for rebels accused of being involved in separate attacks on President Jose Ramos-Horta and Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao on February 11.  They will join about 1,000 Australian police and soldiers and a contingent of United Nations peacekeepers.

Mr. Ramos-Horta was critically wounded.  He was airlifted to a hospital in the Australian city of Darwin, where he has undergone a series of operations. 

Mr. Gusmao escaped injury in the attack.

Arrest warrants have been issued for 17 renegade soldiers who took part in the attacks.  They are believed to be followers of ex-soldier and fugitive rebel leader Alfredo Reinado, who was killed in the attack on the president.

Reinado escaped from prison in August 2006, after he was convicted of inciting clashes between government forces and former rebel fighters earlier that year.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.