Mozambique?s prime minister, Pascoal Mocumbi, said on yesterday he would resign ahead of a general election later this year when President Joaquim Chissano retires.

Political analysts said it had been clear that Mocumbi would leave the government after he was overlooked last year by the ruling Front for the Liberation of Mozambique (Frelimo) when it picked businessman and party heavyweight Armando Guebuza as its presidential candidate.

Mocumbi, a 63-year-old doctor who has held the largely ceremonial post for 10 years, told a news briefing that his departure would depend on a time convenient to Chissano.

Government officials said Chissano was searching for a candidate to replace Mocumbi on an interim basis ahead of elections, when either Guebuza or his key opponent ? Afonso Dhlakama of the main opposition Mozambique National Resistance (Renamo) ? will appoint a government and prime minister.

An election date has not yet been set but it is widely expected in the second half of the year.

Chissano will this year step down after 18 years in office and a wide circle of some of his closest aides are expected to depart at the same time, senior government officials said.

Mocumbi said he may join a Belgian-based tropical diseases research group, the European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership Programme (EDCTP).