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Gusmao sworn in as East Timor PM | Gusmao sworn in as East Timor PM |
(about 3 hours later) | |
Independence hero Xanana Gusmao pledged reform and urged national unity as he was sworn in as the new prime minister of East Timor. | |
The ceremony was conducted by President Jose Ramos-Horta, who appointed him to end political deadlock caused by June's inconclusive parliamentary polls. | |
Former ruling party Fretilin won the most seats, but Mr Gusmao formed a majority coalition with small parties. | |
His appointment has triggered violent protests from some Fretilin loyalists. | |
On Tuesday, youths chanting pro-Fretilin slogans threw rocks and set buildings on fire in the capital, Dili, and a number of other towns. | |
At least six people were hurt, the Associated Press news agency said. | |
Violence was continuing in Baucau, 128km (80 miles) east of Dili, on Wednesday, Reuters news agency reported, but other areas were said to be quiet. | |
Fretilin challenge | |
At the swearing-in ceremony at the presidential palace, Mr Gusmao promised to work for prosperity and national unity. | |
He promised that his ruling coalition - known as the Alliance of the Parliamentary Majority (AMP) - would bring change. | |
There were street protests after Mr Gusmao was named to the post | |
"The AMP has promised to itself to conduct reform to improve the government in this country," he said. | |
"The AMP government will also not become a government that only serves the interests of parties." | |
June's election had been seen as a fresh start for the young, impoverished nation. | |
But neither Fretilin nor the CNRT party led by Mr Gusmao - who was East Timor's president until May 2007 - were able to achieve an overall majority. | |
Fretilin, under former Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri, won 21 seats in the election, while the CNRT won 18 seats. | |
Fretilin argued that it should form the government because it won most votes, but the CNRT party gained a majority of seats by forming an alliance with smaller parties. | |
Weeks of negotiations on forming a unity government brought no result, so on Monday Mr Ramos-Horta used his constitutional right to appoint a prime minister. | |
Fretilin has denounced the move as illegal and says it plans to challenge the decision. |
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