On October 6, the President of the Republic José Ramos-Horta sworn in Brigadier General Lere Anan Timur as Major-General of the F-FDTL and General Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces, replacing Major-General Taur Matan Ruak, who decided to return to civilian life after the official presentation of his resignation to the office. In this ceremony, new patents were also given and new appointments were made: Colonel Filomeno Tirocinado da Paixão de Jesus was promoted to Brigadier General and appointed Deputy General Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces, and Colonel Falur Rate Laek appointed Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces.
In his speech, the President of the Republic, José Ramos-Horta, said that “all of us here today, are witness to the first major change in the history of the F-FDTL, after the restoration of our independence, with the passage of Major-General Ruak to civilian life, a step for change between the generations that currently have responsibilities within the Armed Forces. We all know that the replacement of Major-General Taur Matan Ruak is a major challenge, since his experience, strenghts as a human being and professionalism are qualities not easy to find”.
The Head of State also emphasized the dedication frpm the Major General Lere Anan Timur since the time of guerrillas to the current F-FDTL, as well as the responsibility he assumes as General Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces, a position worthy of respect by the People and that was also the route followed by Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, and then by Major-General Taur Matan Ruak, at the head of the F-FDTL as an impartial force worthy of the confidence of everyone in this country
Taur Matan Ruak, in his farewell address, highlighted the privilege to watch for the first time, the passage of the command of the F-FDTL in an official ceremony, in observance of the Constitution, and in a peaceful, solid and natural way which is a positive factor that should be continued in the future.
Major General Lere Anan Timur, at the time of taking office, highlighted: “Today I take a new responsibility to lead the institution of the Defence Forces of Timor-Leste, where its unique passage and history derive from all our determination, since it was us that created and seeked, from the beginning, to address the concerns of the people in relation to national cohesion. Therefore, to ensure that there is national stability is not only the responsibility of the F-FDTL but also of the people and all citizens, including political parties, community organizations and religious denominations, and if we stand solid, there will no one who can destroy our nation and our unity”.
Participating in this ceremony were the Head of State, José Ramos-Horta, the President of the National Parliament, Fernando Lasama de Araújo, the Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, the President of the Court of Appeal, Cláudio Ximenes Belo, the Attorney General’s, Ana Pessoa Pinto, former Prime Minister, Mari Alkatiri, former President of the National Parliament, Francisco Lu-Olo, members of the Government, parliamentarians and representatives of the diplomatic corps.