Dili: The leader of a group of East Timor rebels accused of trying to assassinate the president has surrendered to authorities, the deputy prime minister said on Tuesday.

Gastao Salsinha and 12 of his men surrendered to Deputy Prime Mnister Jose Luis Guterres at the government palace in the capital Dili.

Salsinha and his men also surrendered weapons and other military equipment. He and his men were wanted for trying to assassinate President Jose Ramos-Horta in February.

The detainees later met with Ramos-Horta at the Presidential Palace, where the alleged triggerman cried and kissed the president's hand.

Ramos-Horta said the state would not discriminate against the suspects, and he asked them to confess to their crimes.