Jakarta – East Timor President Xanana Gusmao in a three-day visit here Friday sought to mend bilateral ties with Indonesia, hand humanitarian assistance to tsunami victims and express opposition against US military embargo.

Speaking to reporter after a meeting with House of Representatives Speaker Agung Laksono at the parliament compound here, visiting Gusmao said his government would lobby the US congress to lift military embargo imposed on Indonesia.

"During the meeting, Foreign Minister Ramos Horta said we would lobby the US congress in February on issue of embargo and restriction of military equipment supply to Indonesia," said Gusmao.

The US government has imposed military embargo on Indonesia on allegation of human rights abuses by Indonesian military personnel during the East Timor referendum for independence in 1999.

Gusmao said his visit was aimed at enhancing bilateral ties with Indonesia, which ruled the tiny country from 1976 to 1999.

He asserted what happened in the past must not overshadow relationship between both countries.

Gusmao arrived here Thursday and has met with President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

He said during a meeting with Susilo he expressed sympathy and condolence of the East Timor people to victims of the December 26 tsunami in northern Sumatra and handed humanitarian assistance.

Although the sum of the assistance is not huge, "we give it with our heart," he said.