The prime minister of Samoa in the Pacific, Tofilau Eti, has resigned because of ill health after sixteen years in power.

He's suffering from cancer and announced his decision in a speech to parliament, which immediately elected his deputy Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi to succeed him.

Tofilau Eti spoke for five minutes, but then became too weak to continue.

It was his first public appearance since returning three weeks ago from New Zealand, where he'd been receiving medical treatment.