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 DILI, East Timor (AP) - East Timor's presidential elections appeared headed toward a runoff Monday, raising fears of prolonged instability in a young nation that nearly descended into civil war a year ago.
Prime Minister Jose Ramos-Horta, who won the 1996 Nobel Peace Prize for championing East Timor's struggle to end decades of brutal Indonesian rule, initially had been seen as the favorite for the five-year presidency.
But public disillusionment with the government has grown, and no clear winner between eight candidates emerged in early ballot counting. An outright majority was needed to avoid a runoff, which would be held next month.
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