LIMA, March 7 (Xinhuanet) -- Bolivian President Carlos Mesa submitted his resignation to Congress on Monday in face of massive unrest in his country, reports from La Paz said.

    Mesa presented his resignation in a letter handed over by Presidency Minister Jose Galindo, the reports said.

    According to the constitution, Congress could accept or turn down the resignation.

    Mesa took office in October 2003 after former President Gonzalo Sanchez de Lozada resigned amid violent protests that claimed at least 86 lives and paralyzed the impoverished country.

    In recent weeks, Mesa's government has faced a series of protests, with street demonstrations and road blockades throughout Bolivia.

    Demonstrators set roadblocks on nine important routes of the South American country to protest against fuel price hikes while the Santa Cruz province called for autonomy.

    A mass strike was also staged in the city of El Alto to demand an immediate closure of a French-owned firm, which was accused of failing to fulfill its program and drastically raising the prices of water and sewage services.

    Mesa attempted to resolve differences by making important concessions, but finally decided to quit as the crisis showed no signs of abating.

    In a nationally broadcast speech on Sunday, the president said he would resign if protests against his government did not stop by Monday.

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