Bolivia's Morales RESIGNS amid pressure from military to step down

President Evo Morales announced his departure after General Williams Kaliman said the South American nation's military chiefs wanted him gone
Kaliman said on national television Sunday that the military's chiefs wanted Morales gone to restore 'peace and stability and for the good of our Bolivia'
Kaliman stepped in within hours of Morales agreeing earlier in the day to hold a new election
Morales' claim to have won a fourth term last month had triggered fraud allegations, deadly protests and a split among security forces

Bolivia's embattled socialist president Evo Morales has resigned.

Morales announced his resignation shortly after the military called on him to step down amid continued protests following the South American nation's disputed elections.

General WIlliams Kaliman said on national television that the military's chiefs wanted Morales gone to restore 'peace and stability and for the good of our Bolivia'.Luis Fernando Camacho, a Bolivian opposition leader, waves a Bolivian national flag in La Paz on Sunday after delivering a pre-written resignation letter at the Palacio Quemado (former Palace of Government) for Bolivia's now former President Evo Morales to signPeople take to the streets of La Paz to celebrate the resignation of Bolivia's now former President Evo Morales on SundayPeople celebrate after Bolivia's now former President Evo Morales announced his resignation in La Paz on Sunday

'Likewise, we ask the Bolivian people and mobilized sectors to shed attitudes of violence and disorder among brothers so as not to stain our families with blood, pain and mourning', the general said, Reuters reports.
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Kaliman stepped in after Morales agreed earlier in the day to hold a new election.

Morales, first elected in 2006, is head of Movement for Socialism, or MAS, the country's socialist party.General WIlliams Kaliman said on national television that the military's chiefs wanted now former Persident Evo Morales gone to restore 'peace and stability and for the good of our Bolivia'.People take to the streets of La Paz to celebrate the resignation of Bolivia's now former President Evo Morales on Sunday

Morales' claim to have won a fourth term last month had triggered fraud allegations, deadly protests and a split among security forces, The Associated Press reports.

Earlier on Sunday, a report from the Organization of American States (OAS), which conducted an audit of the October vote, revealed serious irregularities in the election won by Morales, which sparked widespread division in the country.People celebrate after Bolivia's now former President Evo Morales announced his resignation in La Paz on SundayPolice against the reelection of now former President Evo Morales are pictured on the rooftop of a police station waving national flags near a sign with a message that reads in Spanish: 'The police is with the people'A demonstrator reacts during a protest against Bolivia's now former President Evo Morales in La Paz on Sunday

The dispute over the October 20 election triggered nationwide protests, resulting in three deaths and more than 300 injuries.

Police guards outside the presidential palace left their posts Saturday, allowing anti-government protesters to walk up to the doors of the building.People protest against Bolivia's now former President Evo Morales in La Paz on SundayLuis Fernando Camacho, a Santa Cruz civic leader and opposition figure, is greeted by supporters during a protest against now former President Evo Morales on SundayPeople protest against Bolivia's now former President Evo Morales in La Paz, on Sunday

Morales was not in the building when police retreated, with some of them standing on the roof of a near by police station in a sign of growing discontent among security forces and that his presidency was in trouble.

Officials in the palace in La Paz were evacuated, leaving only a military presidential guard.

Bolivian police had became openly defiant a day earlier after protests appeared to be spreading.Demonstrators are seen at a barricade blocking the access to Plaza Murillo during a protest against Bolivia's now former President Evo Morales in La Paz, on SundaySupporters of Bolivia's now former President Evo Morales block a street in La Paz, on SundaySupporters of now former Bolivian President Evo Morales stand on pedestrian bridges as they block a road that connects La Paz and El Alto

On Thursday a Bolivian mayor was doused in red paint and had her hair hacked off by protesters who blamed her for the deaths of two opposition protesters.

Patricia Arce, of the governing Mas party, was dragged out of Vinto town hall on and subjected to four hours of degradation in which she was made to kneel and sign her resignation.Police arrive at a police station during a protest against Bolivia's now former President Evo Morales in La Paz on SundayPeople protest against Bolivia's now former President Evo Morales in La Paz on SundayDemonstrators carry a large flag during a protest against Bolivia's now former President Evo Morales in La Paz on Sunday

Young men carrying batons and wearing masks chanted, 'Murderess, murderess,' as they marched Arce to a platform where they cut her hair before the baying mob.

Morales, first elected president in 2006, was seeking to remain in power until 2025 after he took legal action to get around constitutional term limits.Pictured are Bolivia's president of the lower house of parliament Victor Borda and now former President Evo Morales as they sing the national anthem during the celebration of the 194th anniversary of the country's Independence. Morales, first elected in 2006, was seeking to remain in power until 2025 after he took legal action to get around constitutional term limits

Source,;Daily mail