Timor president abandons threat to resign

EAST Timor’s president backed off a threat to resign yesterday, telling thousands of flag-waving supporters he would not abandon them as the country searched for a solution to weeks of political turmoil and bloody street battles.

President Xanana Gusmao, a former guerrilla leader, blames Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri for the unrest and had yesterday demanded that he step down.

Alkatiri refused, prompting Gusmao to say he would quit his largely ceremonial post.