Timor Leste to Get New Prime Minister

East Timor could have a new prime minister within a few days. Mari Alkatiri quit as prime minister after weeks of pressure for him to step down.

Dr Alkatiri resigned to help end months of violence sparked by his sacking of 600 renegade soldiers who had accused army commanders of racial discrimination.

Of course everybody has their opinion on the new PM supposedly to be Jose Ramos Horta. Already Horta has been in lengthy discussions with the Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer. Hang on, wait a minute!. Whose country is this anyway.

Mr Downer said he spoke to his East Timorese counterpart Jose Ramos Horta on Friday night and was told a new prime minister should be in place by the middle of the week and that they are resolving their political problems. It is traumatic to have a prime minister resign.

Meanwhile Alkatiri has been a naught boy and on Friday he failed to appear for questioning by prosecutors to answer claims that he sanctioned the arming of militia hit squads to eliminate his political opponents. The United Nations has announced it will set up a commission to investigate the violence.

Nearly 2,000 Australian troops are in East Timor working to quell violence that erupted when Dr Alkatiri sacked 600 soldiers - nearly one third of the country's Army - after they deserted their barracks. The soldiers had been protesting about discrimination in the armed forces.