Canada's Trudeau quits

CANADA'S Prime Minister Justin Trudeau yesterday announced his resignation, following a rise in discontent over his leadership and growing turmoil within his Liberal Party government.

Mr Trudeau made announcement at a press conference outside his residence at Rideau Cottage, in Ottawa, saying "internal battles" mean that he "cannot be the best option" in the next election. He will stay on as prime minister until a new leader of the Liberal Party is chosen.

"I don't easily back down faced with a fight, especially a very important one for our party and the country, but I do this job because the interests of Canadians and the wellbeing of democracy is something that I hold dear," he said yesterday.

Canada's parliament, which had been due to resume on January 27, will be prorogued until March 24.