Robert Mugabe resigns as president days after Zimbabwe coup

Robert Mugabe has resigned as the president of Zimbabwe days after a coup swept the country.

Zimbabwe's parliament speaker Jacob Mudenda confirmed the news this afternoon after a motion was delivered to have him impeached for refusing to step down.

He stopped impeachment proceedings to say they had received a letter from Mugabe with the resignation "with immediate effect."

The 93-year-old, who has given up his position after 37 years as leader, said he resigned to “allow a smooth transfer of power”.

In a resignation letter, he wrote: "Kindly give public notice of my decision as soon as possible.

"My decision to resign is voluntary on my part."

Zimbabwe's Parliament has erupted in cheers at the news.

Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa, a former security chief known as The Crocodile, is expected to take over as president within 48 hours, officials said.

Currently in exile, Mr Mnangagwa served for decades as Mr Mugabe's enforcer, with a reputation for being astute and ruthless.

Before the resignation, crowds rallied outside Parliament, dancing and singing.

Some people placed photos of Mr Mugabe in the street so that cars would run over them.

Opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai of the MDC party said the culture of the ruling party "must end" and everyone must put their heads together and work towards free and fair elections.

Earlier on Tuesday, Mr Mnangagwa said in a statement that Mr Mugabe should acknowledge the nation's "insatiable desire" for a leadership change and resign immediately.

"The people of Zimbabwe have spoken with one voice and it is my appeal to President Mugabe that he should take heed of this clarion call and resign forthwith so that the country can move forward and preserve his legacy," Mr Mnangagwa said in his statement, after more than a week of silence.

Mr Mnangagwa, who fled the country and has not appeared in public during the past week's political turmoil, said Mr Mugabe had invited him to return to Zimbabwe "for a discussion" on recent events.

However, he said he will not return for now, alleging that there had been plans to kill him at the time of his firing.

"I will be returning as soon as the right conditions for security and stability prevail," said Mr Mnangagwa, who has a loyal support base in the military.