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SA's Mbeki to address the nation SA's Mbeki resigns as president
(about 1 hour later)
South African President Thabo Mbeki is to make a televised address, a day after accepting a call by the governing African National Congress to resign. Thabo Mbeki has formally resigned as the president of South Africa, a day after accepting a call by the governing African National Congress to resign.
Mr Mbeki will step down once "all constitutional requirements have been met", his spokesman has said. In a televised address, Mr Mbeki said he had handed a resignation letter to the speaker of the National Assembly.
The move comes days after a high court judge suggested that Mr Mbeki may have interfered in a corruption case against his rival, ANC leader Jacob Zuma. He said he would leave his post as soon as a new president was chosen.
Mr Mbeki is currently holding an emergency cabinet meeting. Correspondents say it is not clear who will succeed him, but the ANC appears to favour the parliamentary speaker, Baleka Mbete, as acting president.
The BBC's Peter Biles in Johannesburg says it is not yet clear when he will step down or who will succeed him, but the ANC appears to favour the appointment of the parliamentary speaker, Baleka Mbete, as acting president. Mr Mbeki's speech followed an emergency cabinet meeting. He is stepping down before his final term expires next year.
It comes days after a high court judge suggested that Mr Mbeki may have interfered in a corruption case against his rival, ANC leader Jacob Zuma.
He thanked the nation and his party, the ANC, for giving him the opportunity to serve the nation.
Mr Mbeki denied allegations that his government had interfered in the court proceedings against his rival, Jacob Zuma.
He said he had always defended and respected the independence and integrity of the judiciary.
Parliament is likely to meet in the coming days to formalise the resignation.Parliament is likely to meet in the coming days to formalise the resignation.
Mr Zuma is widely expected to succeed Mr Mbeki in scheduled elections next year.Mr Zuma is widely expected to succeed Mr Mbeki in scheduled elections next year.
'For stability''For stability'
The decision to call for Mr Mbeki's early resignation was taken at a meeting of the ANC's National Executive Committee (NEC). [Mr Mbeki] agreed that he is going to participate in the process and the formalities ANC Secretary General Gwede Mantashe Mbeki left with few choices Rise and fall of Thabo MbekiSend us your commentsThe decision to call for Mr Mbeki's early resignation was taken at a meeting of the ANC's National Executive Committee (NEC). [Mr Mbeki] agreed that he is going to participate in the process and the formalities ANC Secretary General Gwede Mantashe Mbeki left with few choices Rise and fall of Thabo MbekiSend us your comments
The ANC's Secretary General Gwede Mantashe said the move had followed "a long and difficult discussion".The ANC's Secretary General Gwede Mantashe said the move had followed "a long and difficult discussion".
He said Mr Mbeki, who has ruled for more than a decade, "did not display shock" at the decision and had agreed to participate "in the process and the formalities".He said Mr Mbeki, who has ruled for more than a decade, "did not display shock" at the decision and had agreed to participate "in the process and the formalities".
The decision had been taken for "stability and for a peaceful and prosperous South Africa", Mr Mantashe told a news conference on Saturday.The decision had been taken for "stability and for a peaceful and prosperous South Africa", Mr Mantashe told a news conference on Saturday.
The ANC secretary general said this was not punishment for Mr Mbeki, adding that the president would be given the chance to continue his role as mediator in Zimbabwe.The ANC secretary general said this was not punishment for Mr Mbeki, adding that the president would be given the chance to continue his role as mediator in Zimbabwe.
At the same time, ANC cabinet members are being urged to remain in government to ensure continued stability.At the same time, ANC cabinet members are being urged to remain in government to ensure continued stability.
Political interferencePolitical interference
Our correspondent says this dramatic decision will fundamentally change South Africa's political landscape.Our correspondent says this dramatic decision will fundamentally change South Africa's political landscape.
Jacob Zuma: Comeback kidJacob Zuma: Comeback kid
Mr Mbeki fired Jacob Zuma as deputy president in 2005 after his financial adviser was found guilty of soliciting a bribe on his behalf.Mr Mbeki fired Jacob Zuma as deputy president in 2005 after his financial adviser was found guilty of soliciting a bribe on his behalf.
But Mr Zuma returned to the political stage to topple his rival as ANC leader in bitterly contested elections last year.But Mr Zuma returned to the political stage to topple his rival as ANC leader in bitterly contested elections last year.
Earlier this month a High Court judge dismissed corruption and other charges against Mr Zuma, saying there was evidence of political interference in the investigation.Earlier this month a High Court judge dismissed corruption and other charges against Mr Zuma, saying there was evidence of political interference in the investigation.
In his ruling the judge said it appeared that Mr Mbeki had colluded with prosecutors against Jacob Zuma as part of the "titanic power struggle" within the ANC.In his ruling the judge said it appeared that Mr Mbeki had colluded with prosecutors against Jacob Zuma as part of the "titanic power struggle" within the ANC.
The accusation was strongly denied by Mr Mbeki.The accusation was strongly denied by Mr Mbeki.
Mr Mbeki, who has devoted his life to the ANC, succeeded Nelson Mandela as the party's president in 1997.Mr Mbeki, who has devoted his life to the ANC, succeeded Nelson Mandela as the party's president in 1997.
He became leader of South Africa in 1999 and won a second term in 2004.He became leader of South Africa in 1999 and won a second term in 2004.
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Thabo Mbeki's political careerThabo Mbeki's political career
Perhaps his biggest policy success has been South Africa's rapid economic growth since the end of apartheid and the rise of a black middle class - but to the anger of many, wealth is more unevenly distributed than ever before.Perhaps his biggest policy success has been South Africa's rapid economic growth since the end of apartheid and the rise of a black middle class - but to the anger of many, wealth is more unevenly distributed than ever before.
He has failed to convince the trade unions and the poorest South Africans that the government has acted in their interest - providing space for Mr Zuma to mobilise a powerful constituency.He has failed to convince the trade unions and the poorest South Africans that the government has acted in their interest - providing space for Mr Zuma to mobilise a powerful constituency.
Domestically, his government's handling of the HIV/Aids crisis and failure to stem violent crime in the country has weakened his hand.Domestically, his government's handling of the HIV/Aids crisis and failure to stem violent crime in the country has weakened his hand.