Dili (AsiaNews/Agencies) - Jose Ramos-Horta is the new ad interim prime minister of East Timor. The president, Xanana Gusmao, officially announced his appointment today during a press conference. Ramos-Horta, Nobel Peace prize winner in 1996, has so far held the post of Foreign Affairs, Internal Affairs and Defence Minister. His two vice premiers will be Estanislau da Silva, current Agriculture Minister, and Rui Araujo, Health Minister. The new government will lead the country until the next general elections slated for early 2007.

The decision puts an end to a long period of political instability in the young state, which culminated last month in the resignation of the ex-premier Mari Alkatiri, after weeks of violence between rival factions and security forces. Alkatiri, who belongs to the majority party Fretilin, is accused of funding armed groups to eliminate his political opponents. The ex-premier denies this; on 20 July, he must appear in court to give testimony as a suspect.

In today's meeting with the press, Gusmao gave assurance of the new government's commitment to put an end to the current crisis and to pave the way for the return home of thousands of people who escaped from Dili because of the clashes.

Unrest broke out in East Timor in April, after Premier Alkatiri decided to sack 600 soldiers – 40% of the armed forces – for "striking" to protest ethnic-based discrimination. The rebel soldiers clashed with loyalist troops and then withdrew to the hills around Dili. Rival gangs took control of the streets of the capital in the absence of the security forces. The government called for help from international forces and the UN in a bid to calm the violence which claimed at least 30 lives.