Timor’s PM clings to power, Nobel laureate resigns

Many East Timorese say PM Mari Alkatiri’s decision to fire 600 disgruntled soldiers in March was to blame for street battles and gang warfare that left at least 30 people dead and sent nearly 150,000 people fleeing from their homes. Alkatiri also faces allegations of forming a hit squad to silence his political opponents, a charge he denies.

Gusmao, revered for leading Timor Leste’s resistance to Indonesian occupation, last week demanded that Alkatiri resign, energising demonstrators who have poured into the streets by the thousands. But the ruling Fretilin party said after holding emergency talks on Sunday that the prime minister had accepted the unanimous appeal of its committee to remain in his post.

Ramos-Horta, who won a Nobel peace prize in 1996 for his nonviolent resistance to Indonesian rule over his tiny homeland, responded by saying he would himself step down ‘‘until a new government is established’’.

Though Alkatiri said he knew nothing about the alleged political hit squads, a close ally, the country’s former interior minister, is facing criminal charges for allegedly arming civilian militias on his request.ROD McGUIRK

DILI, June 25

TIMOR Leste’s ruling party refused to fire the prime minister today, defying the demands of popular President Xanana Gusmao and triggering the resignation of the Nobel prize-winning Foreign Minister Jose Ramos-Horta.

The developments threatened to completely unravel the government as it struggled to regain control following the worst outbreak of violence since the country voted for independence seven years ago.

Many East Timorese say PM Mari Alkatiri’s decision to fire 600 disgruntled soldiers in March was to blame for street battles and gang warfare that left at least 30 people dead and sent nearly 150,000 people fleeing from their homes. Alkatiri also faces allegations of forming a hit squad to silence his political opponents, a charge he denies.

Gusmao, revered for leading Timor Leste’s resistance to Indonesian occupation, last week demanded that Alkatiri resign, energising demonstrators who have poured into the streets by the thousands. But the ruling Fretilin party said after holding emergency talks on Sunday that the prime minister had accepted the unanimous appeal of its committee to remain in his post.

Ramos-Horta, who won a Nobel peace prize in 1996 for his nonviolent resistance to Indonesian rule over his tiny homeland, responded by saying he would himself step down ‘‘until a new government is established’’.

Though Alkatiri said he knew nothing about the alleged political hit squads, a close ally, the country’s former interior minister, is facing criminal charges for allegedly arming civilian militias on his request.