The Timorese independence leader Xanana Gusmao has said that Portuguese will be the official language of East Timor.

Mr Gusmao said that adopting the language of East Timor's former colonial rulers is a political decision, and that English and Indonesian would be taught in some schools.

Mr Gusmao acknowledged that the decision might not be popular with young people, but he said they would have to accept it.

Under Indonesian rule, the teaching of Portuguese was banned in East Timor.

Youth leaders have said that most young Timorese do not understand Portuguese and will find it difficult to participate in the political development of a Portuguese-speaking East Timor.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service