MOGADISHU, Somalia, Sept. 21 (UPI) -- Somalia's prime minister resigned Tuesday saying he is "unable to work with the president."
Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke said he decided to step down in the national interest, the BBC reported.
"After seeing that the political turmoil between me and the president has caused security vulnerability, I have decided to resign to save the nation and give a chance to others," Sharmarke said.
The United Nations-backed government of Somali President Sheik Sharif Ahmed has been battling the Islamist group al-Shabab for control of the capital of Mogadishu.
Militants now hold most of southern and central Somalia.
Observers have told the BBC Sharmarke's resignation is unlikely to change conditions on the ground.
However, it could come as a blow to insurgents who were happy about continuing political turmoil, they said.
