The former Timor-Leste Prime Minister absence was defended by Fretilin’s leader Mari Alkatiri, who said it was “normal” that Xanana chose to delegate his Secretary General, Francisco Kalbuady Lay, “to meet with us.”

The meeting came days after Xanana announced he would step down as leader of CNRT and that his party would not form a coalition government with Fretilin.

Fretilin narrowly won the 22 July parliamentary election, but failed to pick-up the needed 33-seat majority to govern independently.

Since the win the Fretilin party have been in talks with rival political parties to make-up a coalition government. Discussions have taken place with the Democratic Party and youth party, KHUNTO that picked up around 10 and 7 per cent of the votes respectively.

Alkatiri said there had been no change to CNRT’s stance to form a coalition, but said Lay would present Fretilin’s plans at a CNRT forum where a decision would be made.

Inocêncio Xavier, a researcher at the Asia Justice and Rights (AJAR), said uncertainty over make-up Timor-Leste’s seventh government could have negative impact on nation’s annual state budget and deter international economic investment

 Carlota da Silva, a representative of women’s rights group, Women of Baucau, said any new coalition government must be united in its policies to ensure stability for Timorese people.

 “We need to unite for national development ….to move our country forward and this should be done through the eyes of the Timor-Leste’s people,” she said.