Somali President Abdullahi Yusuf resigned today in a move that paves the way for a new administration in the Horn of Africa nation.
Mr Yusuf told parliament that speaker Sheikh Aden Madobe would take over, in line with the constitution, and blamed the international community for failing to support the government.
Mr Madobe told reporters in Baidoa that he would remain until a new president was elected and said the government would have talks with "any opposition group".
The weak, Western-backed interim government headed by Mr Yusuf has failed to bring order and security to a country that has been torn by violence since a dictator was ousted in 1991.
Islamists control most of the south and are camped on the outskirts of the capital, the government and its Ethiopian military allies hold only Mogadishu and Baidoa, the seat of parliament, while feuding warlords rule elsewhere.
The instability onshore has fuelled rampant piracy in the busy shipping lanes off the coast of the Horn of Africa nation and sent foreign navies rushing to patrol the key trade routes.
"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," Mr Yusuf said.
There was more fighting on Monday. Moderate Islamists clashed in central Somalia with fighters from the hardline al Shabaab Islamists and insurgents shelled the capital Mogadishu.
Reuters