Somali leader expected to resign

MOGADISHU, Somalia, Dec. 24 (UPI) -- The president of Somalia's struggling transitional government is widely expected to resign this weekend, observers say.

The New York Times reported Wednesday that President Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed, a former warlord, faces a bevy of challenges as the leader of the country's beleaguered government.

Among the issues facing the leader is a powerful Islamist insurgency and a parliament that is threatening to impeach him.

"Yusuf was an obstacle to peace," said Ibrahim Isaaq Yarow, the transitional government's deputy information minister. "The parliamentarians were congratulating one another today when they heard the news that the president is resigning."

One of Yusuf's aides said the president is ready to step down from office, the newspaper reported.

"He has been thinking of resigning for some time but decided that now is the opportune moment," said the aide. "Everyone is talking about peace. Maybe this will help."