Peruvian interim president resigns amid massive protests

Police launch tear gas to disperse protesters (Rodrigo Abd/AP/PA)

Peru’s interim president has announced his resignation as the country plunged into its worst constitutional crisis in two decades following massive protests unleashed when Congress ousted the nation’s popular leader.

In a short televised address, Manuel Merino said he had acted within the law when he was sworn into office as chief of state on Tuesday, despite protesters’ allegations that Congress had staged a parliamentary coup.