Mugabe resigns as Zimbabwe president after impeachment threat; ends 37-year rule

Harare, Zimbabwe

BOWING to a nation that had turned against him, Robert Mugabe resigned as president of Zimbabwe, ending his 37-year rule and sparking scenes of wild celebration throughout the capital.

House of Assembly speaker Jacob Mudenda announced the resignation during a joint sitting of lawmakers in Harare, the capital, called to vote on a motion of impeachment of Mr Mugabe, who at 93 was the world's oldest-serving leader.

Cars honked their horns and cheers filled the streets as a party mood gripped the Harare city centre.

Mr Mugabe's resignation came days after the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front party fired him as its leader and ordered him to step down.

Emmerson Mnangagwa, 75, who Mr Mugabe dismissed as vice-president this month, will take over as interim leader and be Zanu-PF's presidential candidate in elections next yea…