Bolivian parliament rejects president's resignation

Bolivian president submits resignation to Congress

The Bolivian Congress unanimously passed a resolution late Tuesday, rejecting the resignation offered by President Carlos Mesa. (Photo: Xinhua/AFP)

(Photo: Xinhua/AFP)

    LIMA, March 9 (Xinhuanet) -- The Bolivian Congress unanimously passed a resolution late Tuesday, rejecting the resignation offered by President Carlos Mesa, reports from La Paz said.

    The vote, which took less than five minutes for 157 lawmakers to reject Mesa's request, came a day after Mesa's offer to quit. He submitted his resignation to the congress on Monday in face of massive unrest in his country.

    Mesa and opposition representatives reached an agreement after the vote. Under the agreement, the Mesa government has to work out an oil law which allows Bolivia to get more profits from gas and oil exports that are mostly in the hands of foreign companies.

    "In conclusion, it will be a law that meets the country's hopes... allowing it to benefit from these incomes in the short term," Mesa said to the applause of the lawmakers in a speech before the congress early Wednesday.

    Tuesday's agreement also includes other issues, such as amending the country's constitution and voting on the request for regional autonomy by Bolivia's wealthiest province.

    In recent weeks, Mesa's government has faced a series of protests, with street demonstrations and road blockades throughoutthe country. Under such a situation, Mesa said early this week that he was not willing to hold the post of president as Bolivia was facing a "disgraceful" situation.

    Mesa also accused various political and social organizations of"blocking" the country by organizing protests and demonstrations.

    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. Enditem