Monday, June 26, 2006

East Timor prime minister resigns

Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri resigned Monday bowing to pressure from East Timor President Xanana Gusmao.

Protestors broke out in celebration on the streets of the capital Dili upon hearing the news.

East Timor's Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri has resigned under intense pressure, sparking public jubilation with a move likely to ease weeks of tension in the impoverished nation.(AFP/Candido Alves)
East Timor's Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri resigned Monday after street protests and pressure from President Xanana Gusmao. AFP/Candido Alves photo from Yahoo News.

Gusmao called on Alkatiri to resign and accept responsibility for violence that has rocked the tiny nation since May.

The ruling Fretilin party did not name a successor to Alkatiri, but Gusmao has called a meeting Tuesday to address the emerging nation's political and economic crisis.