Premier’s appointment stirs violence

East Timor independence hero Xanana Gusmao was named prime minister, inciting violence a year after clashes between security forces drew the nation to the brink of civil war.

The largest party, Fretilin, complained that it had been denied the right to form a government. Gangs of youths burned tires in the streets of Dili, the capital, and torched a tax office.

Parliamentary polls in June were inconclusive, with the Fretilin party winning 21 seats in the 65-member parliament, well short of a majority. Gusmao’s party won 18, but with its coalition partners controls 37.

President Jose Ramos-Horta used his constitutional right to hand the prime ministerial post to Gusmao, a close political ally.