East Timor ruling party keeps Alkatiri as prime minister

In a blow to President Xanana Gusmao, East Timor's ruling party voted to keep Mari Alkatiri on as prime minister.

The move prompted the resignations of two government ministers including Nobel peace prize winner Jose Ramos-Horta, who acted as both foreign and defense minister.


East Timor's Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri speaks on a cellphone during a press conference in Dili. AFP/Candido Alves photo via Yahoo News.

Gusmano called for Alkatiri to resign last week after his failure to contain rampant violence that has troubled the country since last month. Gusmao threatened to resign himself if Alkatiri did not cede to his demands.

The ruling Fretilin party has asked both leaders to stay on at their posts.