East Timor's prime minister, Xanana Gusmao, who's been on a state visit to Indonesia, has thanked that country's police and military for their help in tracking down rebel Timorese troops.

Our reporter in Jakarta, Marianne Kearney, says Jakarta has captured five rebel East Timorese troops over the past fortnight, who fled over the border to Indonesia.

The five were allegedly involved in attacks on President Jose Ramos Horta and Xanana Gusmao in February.

The rebel troops were part of a group of 600 soldiers blamed for the violence in 2006, who have been involved in drawn out peace negotiations with Dili.

Mr Gusmao thanked President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, and both the military and police for their co-operation in tracking down the Timorese soldiers.

"I must praise our military and police working together with the people, with the communities to hande this situation," he said.

He said he was please to hear that Gastao Salsinha the leader of the rebel soldiers, had surrendered on Tuesday with 12 of his men.

However he said it was up to the courts to determine their role in the two attacks.

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