This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/6936181.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Gusmao sworn in as East Timor PM Gusmao sworn in as East Timor PM
(about 3 hours later)
Xanana Gusmao has been sworn in as the new prime minister of East Timor. 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, but boycotted by the opposition Fretilin party, who say the move is illegal. The ceremony was conducted by President Jose Ramos-Horta, who appointed him to end political deadlock caused by June's inconclusive parliamentary polls.
Fretilin is the largest single party in parliament after the June elections, but Mr Gusmao has formed a coalition and was invited to form a government. Former ruling party Fretilin won the most seats, but Mr Gusmao formed a majority coalition with small parties.
Several people were injured on Tuesday when violence broke out in the capital, Dili, during protests over the move. His appointment has triggered violent protests from some Fretilin loyalists.
Mr Ramos-Horta had hoped that Mr Gusmao and Fretilin leader Mari Alkatiri could resolve the issue themselves, after a June poll prove inconclusive; but when they failed to agree, he took the decision to appoint Mr Gusmao. On Tuesday, youths chanting pro-Fretilin slogans threw rocks and set buildings on fire in the capital, Dili, and a number of other towns.
"I swear to God, to the people, and on my honour, that I will fulfil with loyalty the functions that have been invested in me," said Mr Gusmao, during the swearing-in ceremony which took place at the presidential palace. At least six people were hurt, the Associated Press news agency said.
Weeks of deadlock 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.
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 challenge
Fretilin, under Mr Alkatiri, won 21 seats in the election, while Mr Gusmao's new National Congress for the Reconstruction of East Timor (CNRT) party won only 18 seats. At the swearing-in ceremony at the presidential palace, Mr Gusmao promised to work for prosperity and national unity.
XANANA GUSMAO Former guerrilla leader who led East Timor to independenceSpent six years in Indonesian prisonMade first post-independence presidentStepped down in early 2007 to run for more hands-on role of PM class="" href="/1/hi/special_report/1999/05/99/east_timor/342145.stm">Profile: Xanana Gusmao He promised that his ruling coalition - known as the Alliance of the Parliamentary Majority (AMP) - would bring change.
Fretilin argued that it should form the government because it won most votes, but then the CNRT party formed an alliance with smaller parties, giving it 37 seats in the 65-member legislature. There were street protests after Mr Gusmao was named to the post
Weeks of wrangling ensued, but to little effect. "The AMP has promised to itself to conduct reform to improve the government in this country," he said.
Mr Ramos-Horta delayed carrying out his right to settle the matter until Monday, having repeatedly urged the two parties to agree to a unity government. "The AMP government will also not become a government that only serves the interests of parties."
But finally he felt he had little choice. June's election had been seen as a fresh start for the young, impoverished nation.
A deputy prime minister and other government ministers are due to sworn in later. 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.