E Timor minister quits to protest at Alkatari

A young boy with a painted face joins a protest rally in Dili on Saturday against East Timor's embattled prime minister Mari Alkatari. PHOTO: AFP

"He has resigned from the government," Agio Perreira, spokesman for President Xanana Gusmao, told AFP.

Asked why Ramos-Horta had decided to step down, Perreira said the minister had blamed Alkatiri, adding only: "You had better ask him directly."

A soldier from the multinational forces patrolling Dili posted outside the gates of Ramos-Horta's home confirmed he had resigned but said more details would not be released on Sunday.

Ramos-Horta is a Nobel peace prize winner and was the international face of East Timor's struggle for independence from Indonesia.

His resignation at 5:00 pm (0800 GMT) came as leaders of the ruling Fretilin party hunkered down for a special meeting during which they are expected to decide the fate of Alkatiri.

The president had demanded last week that Alkatiri step down to take responsibility for a crisis which has gripped the nation for weeks but he was rebuffed when the party rallied behind the premier.