DILI, May 30 (Xinhua) -- A two-day emergency meeting convened by Timor-Leste President Xanana Gusmao decided here on Tuesday that Defense Minister Rogerio Lobato should resign or be fired as riots continued in the capital city.

    Meanwhile, the much criticized Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri would stay for the time being, according to local reports.

    More cabinet changes were expected, the reports said.

    Earlier, Foreign Minister Jose Ramos Horta said that the government had "failed miserably" to prevent the unrest and directed the blame toward Alkatiri.

    "In some areas, particularly in political dialogue in embracing everybody, in resolving problems as they arise, well, the government has failed miserably. And that's why so many people are upset with the prime minister and wish him to resign," he said.

    Hundreds of people on Monday staged rallies outside the Presidential Palace, demanding the resignation of Alkatiri and asking President Xanana Gusmao to take over the government.

    Some protesters accused the Prime Minister of never struggling along with Timorese in their pursuit of independence in the past and being involved in corruption cases during his governance.

    The people were also disappointed with Alkatiri's order under which the F-FDTL took over the police's task to settle the April 28 clash.

    Tension has run high since some 600 people sacked from the military in April set fire on houses and exchanged fire with Timor-Leste soldiers last week.

    The military and the police became paralyzed later, but rioters took to the streets, burning houses and looting properties.

    At least 23 people have been killed and dozens wounded ever since.

    Reports said that the current riot was triggered by the faction clashes within the military and the government and might escalate into civil war.

    Dili is now controlled by international peacekeepers from Australia and New Zealand.

    Timor-Leste has been part of Indonesia since 1976, after centuries of Portuguese control. The country became independent in 2002 following a referendum in 1999. Enditem