East Timor PM Gusmao plans to quit in Sept

The first-ever prime minister of East Timor, Xanana Gusmao, has expressed a wish to step down as leader, according to his deputy.

East Timor Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao plans to step down in September so a younger generation can lead the tiny nation.

Deputy Prime Minister Fernando La Samma De Araujo said Thursday that the resistance leader just wants to be the father of the nation to oversee the administration as an observer.

De Araujo said the 67-year-old Gusmao expressed his intention informally to both his cabinet ministers and the people.

He added that the decision is based on deep thought and reflection, inspired by the late South African leader Nelson Mandela and Singapore's first prime minister, Lee Kuan Yew.

The former resistance leader became the first president of East Timor and its fourth prime minister since August 2007.