The high profile politician Jose Ramos Horta has cautiously put himself forward as the next prime minister of East Timor.
He resigned as foreign affairs and defence minister on Sunday, after the ruling Fretilin party refused to sack Mari Alkatiri.
Alkatiri succumbed to pressure and resigned on Monday. Ramos Horta says he would take on the top job if he was the only candidate all sides agree on.
The announcement came as a team of United Nations experts arrived in Dili to assess East Timor's need for further UN assistance following the weeks of political turmoil.
The 20-member group, led by the UN secretary-general Kofi Annan's envoy to East Timor, Ian Martin, arrived on Monday for a two week visit.
Alkatiri facing summons
Meanwhile Alkatiri has been summonsed by the nation's Chief Prosecutor over his alleged involvement in the distribution of arms.
He is also battling allegations he formed and helped arm a secret hit squad to silence opponents. Alkatiri has vehemently denied the claims.
East Timor's Chief Prosecutor has summonsed the former PM to appear before him on Friday, to testify as a suspect over the distribution of arms.
The prosecutor says testimony given by the former interior minister Rogerio Lobato, who has already been charged, led to the summons.
