Prime Minister Alkatiri faces calls to step down
East Timor’s capital Dili is somewhat calmer following days of rebellion against the government, by sacked members of the Timorese armed forces. Local East Timorese have told the Wire that the streets are much safer, due to the increased presence of Australian and other peacekeeping troops that have restored some order. However, looting continues and there are real concerns about the impact that shortages of food, water and medicines will have on the estimated 100,000 people who have been displaced by the fighting. Meanwhile, the political future of Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri has been hanging in the balance. There has been a number of high-level meetings today between the President Xanana Gusmao, Foreign Minister Jose Ramos Horta and Prime Minister Alkatiri. Francis Sunni, a journalist from the Timor-Leste Media Development Center spoke live to The Wire.