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Somali President Yusuf resigns

(Agencies)
Updated: 2008-12-29 16:06

Related readings:  Somali president decides to resign

BAIDOA, Somalia -- Somali President Abdullahi Yusuf resigned on Monday, ending a deadlock at the top of an interim government blamed for stalling a UN-backed peace process in the Horn of Africa nation.

"As I promised when you elected me on October 14, 2004, I would stand down if I failed to fulfil my duty, I have decided to return the responsibility you gave me," Yusuf told parliament. "The speaker will take over my responsibility."

Abdullahi Yusuf made the announcement in a speech Monday before parliament in Baidoa - one of the only towns controlled by the weak government.

He said he would hand in his resignation letter later Monday after four years at the helm of the administration. The government has failed to bring security to the war-ravaged nation.