The resignation of East Timorese prime minister Mari Alkatiri earlier today is unlikely to bring an immediate end to the country's political strife.
While jubilation swept through his opponents on the streets of Dili, his political supporters warned darkly that 20,000 loyalists were "ready to protest" just half an hour from the capital.
The crisis that has engulfed East Timor's ruling class over the past few months has torn apart the Fretilin party that guided the independence movement through 25 years of Indonesian occupation. There is hardly a politician in the country who has not been diminished and tainted with accusations of factionalism - including Xanana Gusmao, a figure who was formerly regarded as a living saint.
Gulf News provides a good backgrounder on the recent crisis, which may begin to explain why Alkatiri is such a controversial and divisive figure.
An Australian ABC television documentary last week investigatedt rumours that Alkatiri was arming Timorese rebels to intimidate his political opponents - claims he has denied. Alkatiri is likely to face charges over the claims, according to the Australian.
On Club Troppo, Ken Parish has some even-handed analysis of the situation, and in the New Statesman John Pilger argues (registration required) that Alkatiri is an anti-imperialist who has been deposed in a neocon-engineered coup. Reading the Maps disagrees.
Also in Dili, Wombathole and Tumbleweed provide some great detail of day-to-day life in the city and the odd comment on current events.
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