Parliament is sworn in - but it's minus a new government

DILI - East Timor's new Parliament was sworn in yesterday after last month's legislative elections, but political parties continued to wrangle over the make-up of the government and the appointment of a prime minister.

The 65-seat chamber completed its first session, where candidates were put forward for House spokesman. Rival groups have failed to reach an agreement on the formation of a new government. President Jose Ramos-Horta has said he would use his constitutional right to decide the new government if parties failed to do so.

The former ruling Fretilin Party won 21 seats in the June 30 election and CNRT won 18 seats, the Association of Timorese Democrats-Social Democratic Party got 11 and the Democratic Party won 8.

- REUTERS