East Timor leaders discuss candidates for PM job

East Timor’s leaders were trying to decide on a new prime minister today following the resignation of Mari Alkatiri, raising hopes for an end to months of political paralysis and violence in Asia’s newest nation.

President Xanana Gusmao’s closed-door meeting with the Council of State, an advisory board of 12 ministers, was expected to last all day in Dili and it was not clear whether they would agree on a replacement.