Canadian Liberal leader quits early

OTTAWA, Dec. 8 (UPI) -- The head of Canada's federal Liberal party, Stephane Dion, resigned five months early Monday to allow a new leader to face a parliamentary showdown next month.

In a letter to the party executive, Dion said he would step down as soon as a successor was chosen, the Globe and Mail reported.

Hours later, one of the members of Parliament who had planned to run in a May leadership convention announced he was withdrawing, leaving just two likely successors, Michael Ignatieff and Bob Rae.

Dion led the party to its worst defeat in a federal election in October, and was criticized by some of his party members for his handling of last week's showdown with Conservative Prime Minister Stephen Harper that resulted in the suspension of Parliament, a Toronto Star correspondent in Ottawa reported.

A week ago, the Liberals announced a coalition with the socialist New Democratic Party and the separatist Bloc Quebecois to bring down Harper's minority government. The Liberals and NDP say they are still intent on voting Harper down in a budget vote Jan. 27.

Wednesday, 77 Liberal members of Parliament and 58 senators meet in caucus and are expected to request the national Liberal executive to appoint Dion's replacement in time for the showdown, the Canwest New Service said. However, there is dissention within the party about the selection process, reports said.