Somali President Ahmed resigns to end crisis

Somalia's President Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed resigned Monday ending a deadlock at the top of an interim government blamed for stalling a U.N.-backed peace process in the Horn of Africa nation.

"I had promised when you elected me on October 14, 2004, to return the power if I could not bring peace, stability and democracy where people can elect their leader," Yusuf told a special meeting of parliament.

Ahmed had been in conflict with a key party in the ruling coalition and the parliament after replacing the prime minister.

"I have handed over my letter of resignation to the speaker of parliament who will be the president in line with the transitional federal charter. I don't want to violate and never violated the charter," he added.

Yusuf left for the airport. It was not clear where he was going.

Calling for unity

Parliament speaker Aden Mohamed Nur called for unity after the resignation.

"I have received and accepted the resignation letter of President Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed," Nur said. "I congratulate the president for the bold step he has taken in respect pf the transitional federal charter."

Yusuf, 74, was elected president in 2004 after more than two years of negotiations brokered by east African nations.

His four years as president have however seen a rise in violence in the lawless Horn of African country as well as infighting in the government which had no widespread authority.

However, his administration was the only one to receive international recognition since 1991 when dictator Mohamed Siad Barre was toppled, sparking bloody clan fighting.

In 2006, his government faced a huge threat from a powerful Islamist movement that had taken control of much of south and central Somalia, prompting Ethiopia to send troops to back the government.

Differences between Yusuf and Prime Minister Nur Hassan Hussein have pushed the Western-backed interim government, struggling against Islamist insurgents, to the brink of collapse.

Yusuf sacked Hussein earlier this month and appointed lawmaker Mohamed Mohamud Guled instead, who quit last Wednesday due to the rejection of his appointment by the parliament.

Yusuf has been accused by donor countries and regional governments of being an obstacle to U.N.-hosted peace talks.

Analysts said Yusuf, a former warlord, was not interested in forming a broad-based coalition in government and undermined attempts by the prime minister to reach out.

I had promised when you elected me on October 14, 2004, to return the power if I could not bring peace, stability and democracy where people can elect their leader,

Resigned Somali president Yusuf Ahmed