VietNamNet - Prime Minister Phan Van Khai, President Tran Duc Luong and National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Van An read their letters of resignation in a session of the top legislation body on June 24.

The Communist Party of Viet Nam (CPV) General Secretary Nong Duc Manh in his opening speech highly praised the three top leaders and other senior officials for their great contributions. The Party leader said he took note of their willingness to hand down the work to younger successors. Manh said he personally accepted their resignations from the national leadership and he believed that the National Assembly would follow suit.

"It's necessary to reshuffle several senior positions of the nation to ensure the comprehensive Party leadership, harmonise the leadership of the Party with the State and guarantee the succession of the national leadership. Prior to the 10th Party Congress, President Tran Duc Luong, Prime Minister Phan Van Khai, NA Chairman Nguyen Van An and some other senior officials had already expressed their desires to not remain in the Party Central Committee. Their aspirations were accepted by the Party Central Committee of the ninth tenure and later were approved by the 10th Party Congress," Party General Secretary Manh explained.

In his letter of resignation, Prime Minister Phan Van Khai said throughout his two terms (1997-2002 and 2002-2007), he had worked with other Cabinet members, who were selected by the National Assembly at the 10th and 11th legislatures, to maintain great unity in contributing to and strictly following the resolutions of the Party and the National Assembly. He said with all these efforts, they had contributed to the success of the renewal process and the development of the nation over the past ten years.

He also acknowledged the responsibility of the Government, including himself, for the weakness and shortcomings in implementing its tasks and functions.

State President Tran Duc Luong read the proposal of Viet Nam's President on approval of PM Khai's resignation and requested the NA to consider and decide his resignation from his post.

State President and Chairman of the Defense and Security Council, Tran Duc Luong, read his letter of resignation from the two posts. He was introduced by the CPV Central Committee and was elected State President and Chairman of the Defense and Security Council by the National Assembly for its 10th and 11th terms starting in 1997.

NA Chairman Nguyen Van An's proposal pointed out that the NA Standing Committee on June 17 discussed and agreed with Luong's resignation, and requested the NA Standing Committee to refer his resignation to the NA for consideration and decision.

NA Chairman Nguyen Van An read his letter of resignation, saying that due to age and heath reasons, he has requested not to re-run for the CPV Central Committee and this request has been approved. An requested the NA to allow him to resign immediately in order to make it easier for the Party leadership and the current NA activities.

Truong Quang Duoc, NA Deputy Chairman, on behalf of the NA Standing Committee read a proposal requesting the NA to consider and decide An's resignation.

After listening to letters of resignation from Prime Minister Phan Van Khai, State President Tran Duc Luong, NA Chairman Nguyen Van An, as well as, proposals requesting the NA to accept their resignations, the NA deputies discussed and gave written opinions. NA deputies unanimously agreed with the proposals of the NA Standing Committee on the resignations of the State President and the NA Chairman, as well as, the proposal of the State President on the resignation of the Prime Minister.

The NA deputies voted on the resignations of the Prime Minister, the State Presidentship and the NA Chairmanship. Results of the voting will be released on Monday morning (June 26).

(Source: VNA)