09 August 2012

East Timor unveils new cabinet with last minute change to Minister for Defence and Security portfolio

East Timor Legal News Source: ABC Radio Australia 8 August 2012, 10:46 AEST - East Timor's recently appointed coalition government has unveiled its new cabinet.

East Timor's new government, led by Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao, has unveiled its new cabinet. (Credit: Reuters)

In the new government, led by Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao, the former deputy Prime Minister, Jose Luis Guterres, has been appointed as Foreign Minister.

The former parliamentary president, Fernando de Araujo Lasama, will take on the role of deputy Prime Minister.

A spokesman for the government says in a last-minute change, Cirilo Jose Christopher will be appointed Minister for Defence and Security, a role that had initially been flagged for the former Minister of Social Security Maria Domingas Alves.

In the previous government the position was held by the Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao.

Francisco Guterres and Julio Tomas Pinto will retain their positions as State Secretaries for Security and Defence respectively.

The new cabinet is expected to be sworn in by the President Taur Matan Ruak on Wednesday.

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