East Timor Votes For New President 

(MENAFN - Saudi Press Agency) East Timor voted for a new president Saturday, ahead of the departure of U.N. troops later this year.

The election is expected to be a three-way race between incumbent Jose Ramos Horta, former military chief Taur Matan Ruak and former parliamentary speaker Francisco 'Lu-Olo' Guetteres.

The president's role is largely ceremonial, but he has the potential to help unify Asia's newest nation, according to a report of the Associated Press.
More than 600,000 of the country's 1.1 million people were expected to vote Saturday.

Twelve candidates are on the ballot. If no one wins a 51 percent majority, the two top vote-getters will move on to a second and final round next month.