Togo's army-installed President Faure Gnassingbe said Friday that he was stepping down but would contest elections in the West African country. (File photo: Xinhua/AFP)

    LOME, Feb. 25 (Xinhuanet) -- Togo's army-installed President Faure Gnassingbe said Friday that he was stepping down but would contest elections in the West African country.

    "I've taken the decision to step down from the office of president in the interest of Togo," Gnassingbe said on state radio.

    He was officially endorsed as the presidential candidate of hisparty -- the Rally of the Togolese People, and was elected president of it on Friday.

    "I accept with all humility and modesty the honor done me by the ruling party to become its leader and presidential candidate,"Gnassingbe told delegates of the party at a special convention of the party.

    He called on the whole party to mobilize for the coming presidential elections in April.

    Delegates to the convention also passed a decision to shorten the tenure of party chief from five years to three.

    Gnassingbe was propelled to presidency by the army on Feb. 7, shortly after the death of his father, former President GnassingbeEyadema, despite a constitutional provision stating that power ought to pass to the speaker of the National Assembly in such a case.

    The African Union, which labeled the Togolese army's move as unconstitutional and "a coup," imposed sanctions against the government of Togo and suspended Togo's membership on the same day.Enditem