DILI, May 29 (Xinhua) -- Timor-Leste's President Xanana Gusmoa held an emergency meeting here on Monday at the Presidential Palace in attempt to find a solution for the country's protracted crisis.

    The meeting was attended by Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri, Foreign Minister Ramos Horta, top Catholic leader Bishop Alberto Ricardo, former head of the United Nations Transitional Administration in Timor-Leste Yan Martin and senior UN official Hasigawa.

    Outside the palace, hundreds of furious protester demanded resignation of Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri.

    President Xanana later came out to calm down the protesters. "Let us discuss this. Give us time. All of you please to return home, so we can discuss it well. I promised to settle the problem," said Xanana.

    He also called on the people of the whole country to be united. "We promised that we will return to a normal situation, no war, and hand in hand build our country," he said. He said that the meeting will be lasted for two days to draw conclusion.

    Sporadic shootings could still be heard in the capital on Monday, while several luxurious houses possibly owned by high ranking government officials were burned.

    More soldiers and policemen arrived here from Australia and New Zealand to safeguard the city, where the national police and military forces had collapsed and the rioters took to the streets instead.

    Tension has been worsening since recent days as some 600 soldiers sacked from the military in April. At least 23 people have been killed and dozens were wounded since the fighting began in the past weeks. Enditem