U.S. says East Timor attacks are "reprehensible"

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States said the assassination attempts on Monday against both East Timor's president and the prime minister were "reprehensible."

State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said America stood in solidarity with the people of East Timor after President Jose Ramos-Horta was shot and critically wounded at his home in Dili by rebel soldiers. Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao escaped injury in another shooting.

"It's reprehensible and these violent attempts are an attempt to turn back the clock for the people of East Timor," McCormack told reporters.

"Certainly our thoughts and prayers are with the president and the prime minister," he added.

McCormack said the Australian government was looking to see whether it could do anything to increase its forces on the ground to help with security in East Timor.

Ramos-Horta, who shared the 1996 Nobel Peace Prize, was taken to northern Australia for medical treatment where he was described as being in critical condition and on life support under an induced coma.

The former Portuguese colony of almost 1 million people gained full independence in 2002 after a U.N. sponsored vote in 1999, which was marred by violence, ended more than two decades of Indonesian occupation.

(Reporting by Sue Pleming; editing by David Wiessler)