I leave as PM with a sense of job well done

Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire (PANA) - Guillaume Soro, who has resigned as the Prime Minister of Cote d'Ivoire Thursday, said he is leaving ''with a light heart and a sense of job well done".

Soro spoke after he submitted his resignation letter to President Alassane Ouattara Thursday.

Having been elected an MP from Ferkessedougou, Soro stepped down as Premier to devote himself to parliamentary affairs, as he is expected to be elected Chairman of the National Assembly (parliament) on Monday.

Before leaving the Presidential Palace which hosted an extraordinary cabinet meeting at which his resignation was announced, Soro paid tribute to all those involved in the crisis resolution process during his tenure.

He said while some of his decisions in office might have hurt some people, he would like to apologize to the nation ''and to all those who have suffered from my governance''.

Soro spent a total of nine years in government, including four as minister and five as Prime Minister.
-0- PANA GB/JSG/JEN/SEG 9Mar2012

I leave as PM with a sense of job well done - Soro