Nicolau dos Reis Lobato Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Nicolau Lobato
The statue of Lobato in Dili

2nd President of East Timor
In office 7 December 1975 – 31 December 1978
Preceded by	Francisco Xavier do Amaral
Succeeded by	Position abolished
1st Prime Minister of East Timor
In office 28 November 1975 – 7 December 1975
President	Francisco Xavier do Amaral
Preceded by	Position established
Succeeded by	Position abolished

Personal details
Born	(1946-05-24)24 May 1946 Bazartete, Portuguese Timor
Died	31 December 1978(1978-12-31) (aged 32) Mount Mindelo, East Timor, Indonesia
Cause of death	Killed in action
Nationality	Timorese
Political party	Fretilin
Spouse	Isabel Barreto Lobato (m. 1972; died 1975)
Children	1
Military service
Allegiance	East Timor
Years of service	1975–1978
Commands	Falintil
Battles/wars	Indonesian occupation

Nicolau dos Reis Lobato (born May 24, 1946 – died December 31, 1978) was an important leader from East Timor. Many people in East Timor see him as a national hero. He played a key role in his country's fight for independence.

He was born in Soibada, which was then called Portuguese Timor.

Early Political Roles
Fighting for Independence
His Final Battle
Remembering a Hero
Gallery
See also

Early Political Roles

Nicolau Lobato became the first Prime Minister of East Timor. This was on November 28, 1975. He served in this role for a short time, until December 7, 1975. After that, he became the second President of East Timor.

Fighting for Independence

On December 7, 1975, the Indonesian military invaded East Timor. Nicolau Lobato and other important leaders from the Fretilin political party did not give up. They went into the mountains and forests of East Timor. From there, they continued to fight against the Indonesian forces. This fight was for East Timor's freedom.

His Final Battle

On the last day of 1978, December 31, Nicolau Lobato was in the mountains. He was ambushed by special forces from Indonesia. He was shot and died fighting at a place called Mount Mindelo.

His body was taken to Dili, the capital city. Indonesian journalists were shown his body. What happened to his body after that is still a mystery. The government of East Timor is still trying to find his remains. They want to give him a proper burial in his home country.

Remembering a Hero

To honor Nicolau Lobato, East Timor's main airport was renamed. It is now called Presidente Nicolau Lobato International Airport. This shows how important he is to the country. Other places, like the Nicolau Lobato Presidential Palace, are also named after him.