UPDATE - Zimbabwe’s Robert Mugabe resigns

UPDATES WITH MORE DETAILS; MNANGAGWA EXPECTED TO BECOME NEXT PRESIDENT

By John Cassim, Jeffrey Moyo and Hassan Isilow

HARARE, Zimbabwe/JOHANNESBURG (AA) - Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe, who has ruled his country for 37 years, resigned Tuesday following pressure from the military, protesters and a looming impeachment by parliament.

Parliament Speaker Jacob Mudenda announced Tuesday that Mugabe had submitted his resignation letter to parliament.

In the middle of the impeachment process, a notice of resignation was handed to Mudenda who immediately stopped the impeachment procedure.

“I Robert G. Mugabe hereby formally tender my resignation as president of Zimbabwe with immediate effect," read the speaker.

The news was received with wild celebrations among lawmakers for nearly 10 minutes with the Speaker unable to bring back order.

Immediately the speaker announced that the name of the new president would be announced within the next 24 hours.

Vice President Emerson Mnangagwa, whom Mugabe had dismissed, was reinstated in the ruling Zanu PF party and is expected to take over its leadership to subsequently become the president of Zimbabwe.

South African Television Enca showed live images of Zimbabweans celebrating on the streets of the capital Harare.

Deafening noise raged through the streets of the capital as people started moving by the thousands towards the Unity Square Garden where a vigil was being held until Mugabe resigned.

Some were on top of buses and packed in hooting cars heading towards the city center.

"I am at loss of words," said Trynos Musvo in Harare.

Last week, the Zimbabwean military took over the reins of the country and placed Mugabe, his wife and scores of his close ministers under house arrest.