The Somali politician named prime minister by President Abdullahi Yusuf last week resigned today, saying he did not want to be an obstacle to peace in the Horn of Africa nation.
Mr Yusuf appointed Mohamed Mohamud Guled after sacking Prime Minister Nur Hassan Hussein earlier this month, but parliament and the international community backed Mr Hussein, effectively leaving the already weak government with two prime ministers.
The president has since come under heavy pressure from Washington to prevent the government collapsing and regional countries imposed sanctions on Mr Yusuf this week for hampering a UN-hosted peace process.
"After evaluating the current situation in Somalia, I have decided to resign," Mr Guled told reporters at his house.
"I stood down so that I am not seen as a stumbling block to the peace process, which is going on well now," he said.
There was no immediate comment from Mr Yusuf on whether he would support Mr Hussein as prime minister again.
Prior to Mr Guled's announcement, speculation had been rife that it was the president who was planning to quit -- a move which could have opened a violent new chapter in the country.
The rift between Mr Yusuf and Mr Hussein has been blamed for stalling peace talks and threatens to tear apart the Western-backed administration at a time Islamist insurgents are camped on the outskirts of the capital Mogadishu.
Analysts believe the rival political camps could revive militias and take their fight onto the streets -- where the insurgency is fighting the Ethiopians and African peacekeepers.
Hussein is open to including Islamists in the peace process and held talks last weekend in Djibouti with Sheikh Sharif Ahmed, the leader of the moderate Islamist opposition.
Reuters