Mbeki forced out after split in ruling party

South Africans were contemplating the end of a political era over the weekend after the country's President, Thabo Mbeki, on Saturday announced his decision to resign after nine years in office.

The statement, made through a spokesman, came during a day of high drama after the national executive committee of the African National Congress (ANC) said it had decided to "recall" Mbeki from his post following a fraught meeting on Friday night that went on until early Saturday.

"Following the decision of the national executive committee of the African National Congress to recall President Thabo Mbeki, the president has obliged and will step down after all constitutional requirements have been met," said the statement. The ANC secretary-general, Gwede Mantashe, said Mbeki had been calm "as normal" when given the news. "He welcomed the news and agreed that he is going to participate in the parliamentary process."