The Fretilin party claimed victory in the 22 July parliamentary election, but failed to win the necessary minimum 33 seats of a 65-seat parliament to govern independently.

Mari Alkatiri said he would not take on the Prime Minister position, saying the position would be subject to vote by his party members.

 “I want this week to have finalised the report to the President of the Republic, so the President of the Republic will nominate a new Prime Minster in this week, but this is my initiative, if the there are another opinion we will consider,” Alkatiri said on Monday following a meeting with Timor-Leste’s President, Francisco Guterres ‘Lu Olo” and Xanana Gusmao, the head of Congress for Timorese Reconstruction (CNRT).

According to insiders, during the meeting Lu Olo called for collaboration and open dialogue between the major parties.

Lu’Olo said he wanted change in the model of government, but did not extend on details.

Taur Matan Ruak, the leader of Timor-Leste’s third most powerful political force, People’s Liberation Party (PLP), said he welcomed the meeting.

Ruak said in the absence of a majority government open dialogue between leaders was integral to the peace and stability of Timor-Leste.

“I was very happy when they meet each other to talk about the Timor-Leste’s destiny because Timor-Leste belongs to all of us,’’ said Ruak.

Fretilin picked-up 23 seats on 22 July election, one more than the CNRT, with the PLP electing eight, the Democratic Party seven and the Kmanek Haburas National Unit Timor Oan (Khunto) five.