Zimbabwe live: Robert Mugabe resigns as President after Parliament begin impeachment process

An official from Zimbabwe's ruling party has said the recently fired vice president Emmerson Mnangagwa will take over as leader within 48 hours.

Here are some more words from Mugabe's letter (we will have the full script soon):

"My decision to resign is voluntary on my part and arises from my concern for the welfare of the people of Zimbabwe and my desire for a smooth, non-violent transfer of power."

Prime Minister Theresa May has responded to the announcement, saying Mugabe's departure will allow Zimbabwe to "forge a new path free of the oppression".

Here is her statement in full: 

“The resignation of Robert Mugabe provides Zimbabwe with an opportunity to forge a new path free of the oppression that characterised his rule. In recent days we have seen the desire of the Zimbabwean people for free and fair elections and the opportunity to rebuild the country’s economy under a legitimate government.

“As Zimbabwe’s oldest friend we will do all we can to support this, working with our international and regional partners to help the country achieve the brighter future it so deserves.”

A week is a long time in Zimbabwean politics. Seven days ago reports first emerged of tanks heading towards the capital, Harare. Here is how we covered it: 

The man being lined up to replace Mugabe is Emmerson Mnangagwa. Here is his profile

How the downfall of Mugabe unfolded:

Zimbabwe's longtime President Robert Mugabe, the world's oldest head of state at 93, has resigned. Placed under military house arrest amid fears he was positioning his wife to succeed him, and facing impeachment, he at first stunned the country by remaining defiant in a national address. Now he says he wants a smooth transfer of power. Here's a timeline of events in a whirlwind drama many Zimbabweans after Mugabe's 37 years in charge never thought they'd see: 

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Nov. 6: After a campaign of public insults against Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa, Mugabe fires his longtime deputy, later accusing him of plotting to take power via witchcraft. Mnangagwa flees the country. 

Nov 13: Army commander Constantino Chiwenga issues a rare public rebuke, saying the military won't hesitate to "step in" to calm political tensions and criticizing the handling of the once-prosperous southern African nation's crumbling economy. 

Nov. 14: Armored personnel carriers are seen on the outskirts of the capital, Harare. The military moves in overnight, taking control of the state-run broadcaster. 

Nov. 15: The military announces that Mugabe is under house arrest and an operation has begun to arrest "criminals" around him who harmed the economy. Unpopular first lady Grace Mugabe, who many feared would replace Mnangagwa and even succeed her husband, disappears from view. 

Nov. 16: State-run media publish extraordinary photos of a smiling Mugabe shaking hands with the army commander at the State House amid negotiations on the president's exit as the military tries to avoid accusations of a coup. 

Nov. 17: The army, which continues to refer to Mugabe as president, allows him to make his first public appearance since house arrest. He appears at a graduation ceremony to polite applause. 

Nov. 18: The bulk of the capital's roughly 1.6 million people pour into the streets in an anti-Mugabe demonstration that even days ago would have brought a police crackdown. 

Nov. 19: The ruling party Central Committee expels Mugabe as party leader and tells him to step aside or face impeachment. In a speech on national television, he does not announce his resignation as expected. 

Nov. 20: The ruling party's Central Committee says it will begin impeachment proceedings. The military says Mugabe and Mnangagwa have made contact and the fired deputy will return to Zimbabwe "shortly." 

Nov. 21: Mnangagwa calls on Mugabe to heed the will of Zimbabwe's people and resign immediately. The ruling party begins impeachment proceedings, which are halted so Mugabe's resignation letter can be read, to cheers.