East Timor president tells supporters he will not resign

East Timor’s president backed off a threat to resign today, 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 revered for helping East Timor achieve independence from Indonesia, blames Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri for the unrest and demanded that he step down.