The Australian

Army chief for Timor president

* January 04, 2007

EAST Timor Prime Minister Jose Ramos Horta wants the country's defence chief, a former Falintil guerilla commander, appointed as the next president after Xanana Gusmao, who is expected to step down later this year.

Mr Ramos Horta said East Timor Defence Force commander Brigadier-General Taur Matan Ruak would make a good president if Mr Gusmao declined to run in May elections.

"Taur Matan Ruak has good leadership from the 24 years during the resistance period," Mr Ramos Horta said.