Four of the rebels possibily involved in the february attacks on East Timor's president and prime minister have handed themselves in to authorities.

Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao laughed and joked with the four rebels as they presented themselves to him at the government palace in Dili after handing themselves over to authorities in the mountain town of Maubisse.

Prime Minister Gusmao thanked the rebels for surrendering peacefully and told them they were looking fit and healthy.

The names of the men who met with the prime minister dressed in army fatigues are yet to be released.

The rebels handed over four guns including an automatic weapon believed to have been stolen from the president's guards during the February attack on his home.

Prime Minister Gusmao urged the 30 odd rebels who remain on the run to surrender but also said the 450 officers deployed on a joint police and military operation in the country's western district would take more action after the Easter weekend to apprehend them.

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