East Timor president heads to Cuba

ABC Radio Australia

Updated September 2, 2008 20:31:28

East Timor's President has boarded a plane to Cuba for a medical check up.

Jose Ramos Horta has gunshot wounds from an attack on him in February by rebels.

The nobel laureate was given a military guard as he boarded a commercial flight to Singapore from Dili's airport.

East Timor's Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao says the President is still feeling unwell.

But he says Dr Ramos Horta also wants to convey the solidarity of the Timorese people to Cuba, where Hurricane Gustav swept through on Saturday.

The hurricane destroyed many buildings.