BAIDOA (Somalia) - SOMALIA's President Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed resigned on Monday after a bitter power struggle in the country's embattled transitional government.

'I had promised to return the power if I could not bring peace, stability and democracy where people can elect their leader,' Mr Ahmed told a special meeting of parliament.

Mr 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. -- AFP