Mohammad Sahabuddin Chuppu has resigned as president because of health reasons, according to confirmation on Friday from his assistant private secretary, H M Sagar. Sagar said the president decided to step down due to physical illness.

Following the resignation, National Parliament Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad assumed responsibility as acting president under the constitution. The report said the development ended several days of speculation.

Later in the afternoon, a government vehicle for the acting president and two Special Security Force protocol vehicles were seen in the National Parliament complex. The vehicles were observed there at 4:26 pm and were described as indicating formal preparations related to the transfer of responsibility.