East Timor’s Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão has tendered his resignation to President Taur Matan Ruak.

In a two-page letter delivered on Thursday, Mr Gusmão stated it was time to pave the way for the next generation of leaders, reported Portuguese news agency Lusa.

The move was widely expected as part of a Government restructuring plan aiming to inject new blood into the cabinet and into East Timor’s political scene.

The Prime Minister had been signalling since 2013 he intended to step down. He had already been working in recent months on a government reshuffle.

Mr Gusmão, who became East Timor’s first President in 2002, was elected Prime Minister in 2007.