Port of Spain, (Trinidad) - The two rival political leaders in Trinidad and Tobago have welcomed a decision by the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) to assist in returning a state of political normalcy to the twin-Republic.

The CARICOM Bureau of the Conference of Heads of Government has mandated Bahamas Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham and CARICOM's Secretary General Edwin Carrington to meet with newly-appointed Prime Minister Patrick Manning, dethroned Prime Minister Basdeo Panday and President Arthur Robinson.

No date has been set for the meetings.

The Bureau discussed the state of the continuing political uncertainty in Trinidad and Tobago during their meeting last week in the Turks and Caicos.

" They also felt that the community owes it to the people of Trinidad and Tobago and the wider Caribbean Community as well to do whatever lies within its capacity to help bring about normalcy," according to the statement from the Bureau.

Political tensions have been building in Trinidad and Tobago following the deadlock in the elections and the subsequent decision of the President to appoint Manning, then the country's opposition leader as Prime Minister.

Panday who was the incumbent has refused to recognise the new government, describing it as being illegal since the President did not act in accordance with the constitution.

Prime Minister Manning said he has not yet been contacted on the CARICOM decision.

However he said, " I have no objection to meeting with CARICOM leaders about anything dealing with Trinidad and Tobago."

Panday also had no problems with CARICOM seeking to resolve the political situation.

" I have no objection to that, in fact I welcome that. They have already contacted us and we have so indicated," he said.

Panday's United National Congress (UNC) also discussed the CARICOM statement on Saturday during a Strategic meeting of party officials.

UNC Chairman Wade Mark said the meeting welcomed the Caricom's statement and decision since the party has been calling for regional and international condemnation of the President's decision to appoint a party into government that did not topple the incumbent.

"We're quite happy with CARICOM because I think the region is concerned about what is happening in Trinidad and Tobago, given the strategic importance of the country in the region," Mark told the Chronicle.

"We would want to give them an opportunity to see what they could bring to the table to meaningfully bring an end to this political and constitutional crisis."

Mark, a former senator said it was important for the Trinidad situation to be resolved since if left alone, could set a dangerous precedent for the Caribbean and the Commonwealth.

"It would also set the stage for dictatorial rule," he added.

Mark said the crux of the problem is the decision by the President to select..." not elect" a party to go into government when the ruling party did not lose the election.