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East Timor Premier quits

JAKARTA: East Timor Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri announced his resignation on Monday, saying his decision was to prevent President Xanana Gusmao from stepping down. ``I declare I am ready to quit my position as Prime Minister, so as to avoid the resignation of President Xanana Gusmao,'' he was quoted by the Detikcom news website as saying. Saying the national interests are the most important thing, Mr. Alkatiri added, ``I am determined not to deepen the crisis.'' East Timor was plunged into violence in May after the Prime Minister fired nearly 600 of the country's 1,400 army men for mutiny when they protested alleged discrimination against them. Since then, the sacked troops and thousands of protesters have demanded resignation of Mr. Alkatiri. The mass and the sacked soldiers said Mr. Alkatiri should be responsible for the violence that had seen youth gangs fighting, looting in capital Dili. — Xinhua

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