Labeling Taur a “symbol of Timor-Leste people,” a community spokesperson called on the out-going President to reconsider his decision to lead of Timor-Leste’s newest political party, the Popular Liberation Party (PLP) when his mandate ends on May 20 May.

Responding to the pleas, Taur said: “As the President I have to independent, but when I end my mandate 20th of May I will hand over my position to the new president on the 21 of May and I will align with the (PLP) party.”  He then added that politics was his life and he would “die with politics.”