Bolivian president to resign

President Banzer is undergoing treatment in America

Bolivian President Hugo Banzer, who is suffering from cancer, will resign on 6 August - Bolivia's Independence Day - Information Minister Manfredo Kempff has said.

Vice President Jorge Quiroga is expected to serve out the remainder of Mr Banzer's term, which runs until 2002.

Mr Banzer is currently undergoing treatment for lung cancer in a hospital in Washington DC in the United States.

The statement comes two days after Mr Kempff said the president would return to Bolivia to participate in Independence Day festivities and deliver his annual state-of-the-nation address.