Dili – Manuel Carrascalao, a veteran of East Timor's 24-year struggle for freedom, was elected to head the territory's transitional legislature following last month's surprise resignation of independence leader Xanana Gusmao.

He was named speaker of the National Council after rival candidate, Nobel Peace laureate Jose Ramos Horta, withdrew from the ballot.

"Manuel Carrascalao is a fighter and a very courageous man," said Ramos Horta, who acts as East Timor's unofficial foreign minister. "During the most difficult period in this country's history, he stood up against the [Indonesian] occupation."

The 36-member council is wholly appointed by the territory's UN administration and is regarded as a dress rehearsal body for eventual East Timorese self-rule. It has no direct powers, but debates and comments on regulations drafted by the United Nations, which is administering the territory during preparations for independence.

The council is to be dissolved in June ahead of August elections for a new body that will draw up a national constitution to be in place before full independence is granted and a head of state is chosen, probably early next year.

Militiamen killed Carrascalao's son during an attack on his home in Dili on April 17, 1999.