Dili – After quitting East Timor's interim legislature in a bitter row over the shape of a new constitution, independence leader Mr Xanana Gusmao yesterday announced he will not compete in the nation's first presidential election.
Mr Gusmao, who had been widely expected to assume the presidency, said: "I believe that if I could do something for this country and these people it was in a different stage of the process, the liberation struggle ... I will not run for president."
As East Timor's dominant political figure and independence hero, Mr Gusmao has used resignation threats to get his way in the past.
One United Nations official said his resignation did not mean a withdrawal from politics. "He is fully engaged in the [political] process," the official said.
East Timor's temporary UN administrator, Mr Sergio Vieira de Mello, said he had accepted Mr Gusmao's resignation on Wednesday night from the National Council, East Timor's UN-controlled interim legislature, but he hoped he would change his mind.
"I do hope he will stand for elections," Mr Vieira de Mello said. "I believe he is key to stability in East Timor during the transitional phase and particularly after independence."
In his resignation letter, Mr Gusmao said the National Council – which consists of 36 members appointed by the UN – no longer reflects the views of the East Timorese people. "He feels he was unfairly challenged by some members of the National Council, and I agree with him," Mr Vieira de Mello said.
Mr Gusmao quit after an acrimonious debate in the legislature about the new Constitution. He appears to have been angered that his own party blocked a proposal that all East Timor's 600,000 people should be canvassed for their views.
Elections are due to be held in August for an 88-seat constituent assembly, which will replace the National Council and draw up a new Constitution.
Despite his resignation, many in the territory believe the 54-year-old leader will succumb to popular pressure and stand in the presidential election.
Nobel laureate Mr Jose Ramos Horta, who is also a council member and unofficial foreign minister, said he wasn't surprised by Mr Gusmao's move. He thought he would change his mind. Mr Gusmao resigned from the National Council in August and changed his mind the same day.